Thoracic surgery is a challenging and rewarding career that offers patients a range of life-saving procedures. From lung cancer surgeries to heart transplants, thoracic surgeons perform procedures that can improve health and quality of life.
Choosing the right thoracic surgeon is critical to ensuring patient safety. A recent investigation revealed that complication rates vary widely among surgeons nationwide, putting patients at risk of poor outcomes.
Credentials
Thoracic surgeons like Armen Parajian have years of education and training to help them perform surgical procedures related to the chest. Their knowledge and abilities can mean the difference between life and death for patients.
They typically receive their medical degree and then complete a five-year general surgery residency. After completing the residency, they then pursue a fellowship in thoracic surgery. This can last two or three years.
Experience
Thoracic surgeons treat patients with diseases and conditions of the heart, lungs, esophagus, chest wall, diaphragm, and trachea (windpipe). They also operate on congenital heart defects in children.
To become a thoracic surgeon, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in medical science or a related field. You then attend medical school to earn your doctorate of medicine or doctorate of osteopathic medicine.
After finishing medical school, you begin a five-year residency in general surgery. During this time, you learn thoracic surgical procedures and gain experience working with patients. You also observe surgeries from experienced thoracic surgeons. Upon completion, you can apply to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Outcomes
Thoracic surgeons specialize in treating diseases and injuries of the lungs, heart, and other organs in the chest area (cardiothoracic cavity). They can perform surgery to treat blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary artery disease) or to remove cancerous cells from the lungs.
Experience matters when it comes to performing chest surgery and avoiding complications. Check the physician’s profile to see how many procedures they’ve performed and complication rates–the number of patients who’ve had problems after an operation.
Gender
Gender is one of the most important aspects of a person’s identity. It affects everything from social expectations and perceptions to career choices, employment, and relationships.
A person’s gender can also be defined by other factors, including sexual orientation and chosen name or pronoun. This diversity is a natural part of human identity but can also make it harder to get the support you need if you are struggling.
People often use sex and gender interchangeably, but they are different concepts. This is why it is important to understand them to get the support you need.
Insurance
Thoracic surgeons must undergo extensive education and training before practicing their specialty. They must earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and then complete medical school and a fellowship in their area of specialization.
They also need to have excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. This can be especially important when performing complex surgery, where they must manipulate large, delicate body parts.
A thoracic surgeon is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting organs located within the chest cavity, including the heart, lungs, and esophagus. They may also focus on the trachea (windpipe) and the diaphragm.
Hospital Quality
As hospitals strive to provide high-quality care in an efficient and safe environment, they are expected to track various financial and quality metrics. Leaders and decision-makers use these metrics to improve patient outcomes, reduce readmissions and decrease serious complications, among other things.
Hospitals must report a set of standards developed by CMS that quantify healthcare processes, patient outcomes, and organizational structures. These standards are vital to the success of a hospital.