Beyond 2025: Projections of cardiothoracic surgeon demographics in France - 09/07/25

Doi : 10.1016/j.acvd.2025.04.057

Gabriel Saiydoun ^a,^b,^c,⁎ , Saadé Saadé ^d, Chadi Aludaat ^e, Pascal Leprince ^a, Guillaume Fadel ^f, Jean-Philippe Verhoye ^g, Andre Vincentelli ^h, Pascal-Alexandre Thomas ⁱ, Elsa Armand ⁱ, Guillaume Lebreton ^a, Erwan Flecher ^g, Michel Kindo ^d, Jean-Marc Baste ^e, Xavier-Benoit D’Journo ⁱ, Julien Guihaire ^j, Christophe Jayle ^k, Anne Boutet ^l, Julie Giraud ^l, Maroua Eid ^m, Nicolas Venissac ⁿ, Hugo Clermidy ^f, Johann Cattan ^o
^a Department of Cardiac Surgery, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne University, AP–HP, 75013 Paris, France
^b Department of Cardiac Surgery, Henri-Mondor University Hospital, 94000 Créteil, France
^c IHU ICAN, AP–HP, Sorbonne University, 75013 Paris, France
^d Department of Cardiac Surgery, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67091 Strasbourg, France
^e Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Rouen University Hospital, 76031 Rouen, France
^f Department of Thoracic Surgery, Marie-Lannelongue Hospital, 92350 Le Plessis-Robinson, France
^g Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rennes University Hospital, 35033 Rennes, France
^h Department of Cardiac Surgery, Lille University Hospital, 59037 Lille, France
ⁱ Department of Thoracic Surgery, Marseille University Hospital, 13385 Marseille, France
^j Department of Cardiac Surgery, Marie-Lannelongue Hospital, 92350 Le Plessis-Robinson, France
^k Department of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery, Poitiers University Hospital, 86021 Poitiers, France
^l Société française de chirurgie thoracique et cardiovasculaire, 75013 Paris, France
^m Department of Cardiac Surgery, Angers University Hospital, 49933 Angers, France
ⁿ Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lille University Hospital, 59037 Lille, France
^o Department of Cardiac Surgery, Bordeaux University Hospital, 33076 Bordeaux, France

^⁎Corresponding author at: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne University, AP–HP, 47, boulevard de l’Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.Department of Cardiac Surgery, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne University, AP–HP47, boulevard de l’HôpitalParis75013France

Sous presse. Épreuves corrigées par l'auteur. Disponible en ligne depuis le Wednesday 09 July 2025

Graphical abstract

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Highlights

•	Cardiothoracic surgeons in France: 15% growth from 2012 to 2023.
•	The cardiothoracic workforce looks to be stable until 2040.
•	Older cardiothoracic surgeons are mainly men.
•	Younger cardiothoracic surgeons are split more equally by gender.
•	There are geographic variations in public/private practice and future opportunities.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Abstract

Background

Cardiothoracic surgeons are essential healthcare practitioners but there are demographic challenges and training complexities. Understanding workforce trends is critical to ensure future capacity and adaptability in France.

Aims

This study assessed the current state of the cardiothoracic surgery workforce in France and projected demographic trends through 2040.

Methods

Data from the French Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (2023) were used to analyse all active cardiothoracic surgeons and residents. The study included statistical analysis with an Opportunity Index to forecast surgeon inflow and outflow over 15years.

Results

The cardiothoracic workforce comprised 958 individuals, marking a 15% increase since 2012. Among senior surgeons, 52% practiced cardiac and 48% thoracic surgery. Public institutions employed 60%, while the private sector accounted for 40%. The median age of residents was 29years, with females representing 55% of the 2022 surgical training cohort. Regional disparities were noted, with Limoges and Caen presenting the best future opportunities. Growth in surgeon numbers is expected to continue steadily until 2040, but challenges in securing permanent positions for trainees, especially in cardiac surgery, may arise after 2035.

Conclusion

The outlook for cardiothoracic surgery in France is balanced, with significant demographic shifts such as increased female representation. To sustain growth and align with patient and practitioner needs, workforce adaptation and inclusivity should be prioritized.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Keywords : Cardiothoracic surgery, Demographics, Gender distribution, Workforce