The cardiothoracic department in a hospital is seen by many in the medical profession as the standard-setting department for the entire hospital. The high status of the heart surgery department produces high expectations for the surgeons who work there. The qualities needed to be a heart surgeon include both the qualities needed to be a good surgeon of any kind and qualities specific to heart surgeons. General Surgeon Qualities Good heart surgeons must be good surgeons first. Surgeons need technical ability, sound judgment, the ability to work with a team, the ability to solve complex problems quickly under high stress, the willingness to take responsibility, and an attitude of curiosity and excitement toward challenging cases. Surgeons must often make life or death decisions with limited information, relying on their education, their instincts and their powers of judgment to make the best call under the circumstances. Technical Skills Good heart surgeons need a range of technical skills and knowledge. This includes detailed knowledge of the physiology of the cardiorespiratory system, an ability to read complex and unusual CT scans and other radiological information, an ability to understand the newest forms of surgical equipment and technology and a personality capable of adapting to the constant new developments in such a high-tech surgical profession. They must also possess all of the basic surgical skills, such as steadiness of hand and manual dexterity. Nontechnical Skills Heart surgeons are also expected to have a number of nontechnical skills and abilities. They must have strong leadership skills so they can effectively take charge of a surgical team in demanding situations. They must understand the economic complexities of the modern health care system, including the relationship between the hospital and the government and the factors driving the hospital's business decisions. They must also have the ability to teach surgical residents effectively so they can become the next generation of good heart surgeons. Additional Qualities Good heart surgeons should have an educational background in the traditional humanistic disciplines including moral philosophy, history, art and literature, according to an article published in a 1994 issue of “The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.” None of these subjects is directly related to the skills involved in heart surgery; however, the author argues that the profession of heart surgery is inherently moral, rational and humanistic. As such it requires a much broader understanding of and commitment to the tradition of humanist values and education to avoid surgery becoming a detached exercise in technical skill without compassion for the patient as a human being. Source
