Journal of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery

Background: The Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery has set up a division of surgical training to train the next generation of pediatric cardiac surgeons. A project towards this end has been launched.

Method: As part of this project, a questionnaire was conducted among surgical members of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery to obtain information about the actual status of pediatric cardiac surgeons in Japan, including working environment and training conditions. From June 26, 2018 to August 6, 2018, 420 cardiovascular surgeons who belong to the Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery were requested to answer an anonymous web questionnaire. A total of 176 responses were obtained (Answer rate: 42%).

Results: A total of 15% of the pediatric cardiac surgeons had 10 on-duty days per month or more, while 85% worked in excess of the statutory working hours. In addition, the questionnaire responses confirmed that the training environments of pediatric cardiac surgeons differed greatly among institutions. The number of surgical cases per surgeon varied. Currently, it is difficult to state that all pediatric cardiac surgeons have performed adequate number of surgeries, and many surgeons are dissatisfied and anxious due to their harsh working environment.

Conclusion: It is thus necessary to create a training environment where the number of surgical cases, difficulty, and other properties are programmed to improve the harsh working environment, and to establish an ‘all-Japan training system’ for the next generation.