Factors affecting interest in cardiothoracic surgery among junior surgical residents in Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: A survey was undertaken to determine the factors that affect interest in cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) among junior surgical residents in Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done using a pilottested, 56-item, semi-structured questionnaire, which was filled in by 238 junior surgical residents in accredited hospitals in Nigeria. RESULTS: Few of the respondents (8.4%) were committed to specialising in CTS. A minority of them, 28.2 and 2.1%, had assisted in major thoracic procedures and open-heart surgeries, respectively. The relationship between the level of training, rotation in CTS in junior residency and interest in CTS were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The main important factors responsible for the low interest in CTS include the lack of equipment (92%), limited training positions (64.9%), poor or lack of exposure in CTS as a junior resident (63%) and in medical school (58.8%). CONCLUSION: There is a dire need to provide facilities and training opportunities to improve the cardiothoracic workforce in Nigeria.