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Shifting Perceptions of 219 U.S. Vascular Fellows

Anil Hingorani, Enrico Ascher, Natalie Marks, Alessandra Puggioni, Victor Tran, Nirav Patel, Theresa Jacob.
Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.
 
OBJECTIVES: In an attempt to identify the fellows’ concerns about the future of the field of vascular surgery, we conducted a survey consisting of 22 questions at an annual national meeting in March from 2004 to 2007.

METHODS: The fellows were asked: 1) what the new training paradigm for fellows should be, 2) major threats to the future of vascular surgery 3) their interest in an association for vascular surgical trainees. 219 of 273 attendees (80%) completed the survey.

RESULTS: 76% were satisfied with their endovascular experience during their fellowship while 82% were satisfied with their experience with open cases. 40% felt that 5 years of general surgery with 2 years of vascular surgery should the training paradigm while 45% suggested 3 and 3 years. 79% felt that future demand would exceed the available manpower while 17% suggested that manpower would meet demand. The major challenges to the future of vascular surgery were felt to be competition from cardiology (82%) or radiology (30%) and a lack of an independent board (29 %). 17% were not aware of the ABVS and only 2% were against it. 71% suggested that vascular privileges be restricted to board certified vascular surgeons. 76% were interested in forming an association for vascular trainees to address the issues of the future job market (67%), endovascular training during fellowship (56 %), increasing focus on the vascular fellows at national meetings (49%) and representation for the fellows on the national councils (37%).

Comparison of the results from 2004 to 2007 demonstrated an increase in the satisfaction of the fellows’ endovascular experience and a corresponding decrease in the interest of having the new vascular trainees’ association focusing on endovascular training in fellowship. In addition, there was a decreased interest of having the new vascular trainees’ association focusing on the new 3 years of general surgery and 3 years of vascular training paradigm. The perceived threat from radiology to the future of vascular surgery seemed to be less prevalent. Finally, the expectation that the demand for vascular surgery will outpace the available manpower was more prevalent.

CONCLUSIONS: This survey suggests that several significant issues exist in the minds of vascular trainees that have not been addressed and may be present opportunities for further dialogue.

AUTHOR DISCLOSURES: A. Hingorani, None; E. Ascher, None; N. Marks, None; A. Puggioni, None; V. Tran, None; N. Patel, None; T. Jacob, None.