Cardiothoracic surgeons are experts in procedures that address problems with the heart, lungs, esophagus, and blood vessels in the upper torso. The path to becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon is typically lengthy, requiring at least 15 years of post-secondary education. Most cardiothoracic surgeons go to college and medical school before completing general surgery residency programs and cardiothoracic surgery fellowships.
Prospective cardiothoracic surgeons can major in any subject they want as an undergraduate as long as they take prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and calculus. These courses are not only required for admission to US medical schools, but they are also topics on which the medical college admissions test is based (MCAT). The MCAT is required for admission to most US medical schools, as the name implies. The majority of students take this test in their junior year of college, after months of preparation.
Students can expect to spend the first two years of medical school studying basic sciences such as anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, pathology, and pharmacology, which are critical to understanding medicine. Students will almost certainly take additional, non-scientific courses that are required for becoming a doctor, such as medical ethics and health-care systems. Clinical rotations are where students interact with patients and health care workers under the supervision of a physician faculty member during their final two years of medical school. Students are exposed to clinical disciplines such as cardiothoracic surgery, which may become their specialties, during this time.
Students can begin applying for residency programs during their senior year of medical school, which will provide them with specialized training in one clinical discipline. Students interested in pursuing a career as a cardiothoracic surgeon should apply to general surgery residency programs first. General surgery residencies typically last five years and expose residents to a variety of surgical procedures. About halfway through their surgical residency, residents can expect to receive some cardiothoracic surgery training.
After completing four years of general surgery residency, a student can apply for a cardiothoracic surgery residency. Depending on the requirements of the residency program, this additional clinical training can take two to four years to complete. Students are eligible to sit for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery after successfully completing this second residency program. Although passing this board exam is the last step toward becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon, most doctors will continue to gain specialized experience through fellowships.
To become a cardiothoracic surgeon, you must put in a lot of effort, dedication, and ambition. Fortunately, the majority of cardiothoracic surgeons report high job satisfaction and high demand for their medical services.