Category: Featured

Patrick Myers Domain Chair, Acquired Cardiac Disease

It has been a privilege to have Jan Ankersmit from the Medical University in Vienna to chair the Basic Science Task Force for some time now. He’s done a phenomenal job but had too many responsibilities at his home institution to continue chairing this task force. With Jan’s departure we took the opportunity to look again at the Basic Science Task Force and recruited a group of diverse clinicians and scientists involved in basic research to join. We also asked Juan Grau, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at The Valley Heart and Vascular Institute in the US, to chair it.

Among the initiatives that we have considered is a different way of integrating basic science with all the other areas that EACTS covers. For example, at the Annual Meeting each task force would usually develop its own focus and abstract sessions, and that would be the same for basic science. Although basic science can be very interesting for practising clinical surgeons, it’s often not hugely relevant to their practice and perhaps not as interesting to them as other content that they are able to engage with at the Annual Meeting. So that was something we had to think about – a lot of work goes into those basic science session, so how do we generate more interest? Linked to this, we have been seeing that the basic science that underpins interventional procedures such as TAVI and so on is crucial – the basic science of the valves and the bio engineering is vital to the development of new devices and treatments, and therefore important to the future of both specialties.

As a result, we have been working hard with Juan Grau to re-energise the approach to basic science. The outcome is that we have now basic science sessions at this year’s Annual Meeting that are integrated into the wider scientific programme. For example, a session on transcatheter valves will also look at the basic science of the valves and their application, what we know about them and what can we expect from them.

We have seen that our colleagues from cardiology are increasingly interested in this sort of approach and I think that many other EACTS members will also welcome it. Having taken this big step to integrate it with the wider programme, I feel basic science will now become much more visible and much more approachable to the practising surgeon, whatever their speciality.

Juan Grau, Chair, Basic Science Task Force

What does basic sciences do for cardiothoracic surgery? In general, I would summarise it as the following: it brings objectivity. The experimental method does not have a personality, it doesn’t have an agenda. Either things work or they don’t work. Your experiments are going to tell you whether you were correct in assuming that this is the mechanism or technique you thought it would be. Given the world that we live in today, that objectivity is crucial.

As a scientist and as a surgeon, clinical medicine is very clear. You do an operation, everything works well, and the patient walks out of hospital in better shape. Now how can you improve that? How can you make it less invasive, how can you make it more effective, how can you make it more streamlined? For that you will have to use the tools of basic science, meaning you will have to create an experiment, devise a method, test it, validate it and then implement it. These fundamental tenets of research and investigations are in general very healthy. It is a healthy reminder for all us clinicians to see and understand the bar that we have to meet. And we do have to meet that bar, and even exceed it, if we want our breakthrough interventions to become mainstream.

This is why we need to keep analysing the information and the science. Lately we have had significant issues with major clinical trials where the results were somewhat confusing or debatable. This happened because the statistical methods changed or some of the definitions were altered during the course of the trial. In the light of that, what an understanding of not only basic research but also statistical methodology gives you is the ability to be analytical and to have good judgement about the information that is being fed to you and what it is telling you.

So that is how I would describe basic science. It brings objectivity to medicine, which can sometimes feel as much of an art as a science, and it tells us what is really happening and why.

For me, this happens regularly. I can send specimens sent to my PhD students that I believe are putting us on the perfect path. But then they come back and tell me the specimens are not good enough. That is the beginning of objectivity, because you think you’re going to obtain particular results about particular issues and then you are told otherwise.

How many other areas of life can deliver that level of objectivity, telling you with certainty that something is wrong or not good enough and needs to be better? This is what my PhD students do regularly, they practise basic science, and it keeps me very grounded.

EACTS members have an exciting opportunity to join the world-leading European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EBCTS). EBCTS is seeking applications from EACTS members to join as examiners and support the delivery of excellent, reproducible and respected examinations.

Applicants can join as Level 1 or Level 2 examiners in Adult Cardiac, Congenital or Thoracic Surgery and all examiners will undergo professional training in assessment science, question writing, examination evaluation and examiner standards and behaviour.

Level 1 examiner opportunities offer an excellent starting point for those wishing to become involved in professional examinations by constructing questions for the MCQ Level 1 Membership examination. While Level 2 examiner opportunities offer applicants already experienced in participating in local, national or international examinations the opportunity to become involved in the oral Fellowship examinations.

More information on the qualifications required to become a Level 1 or 2 examiner can be found below.

Qualifications, skills and experience required for Level 1 examiner applicants:

1. Must be a current member of EACTS and for the duration of their appointment as an EBCTS examiner
2. Should be in a specialist post or within the last year of specialist training
3. Must have successfully taken the EBCTS, American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS), FEBTCS or other recognised national specialty examination (or completed the EBCTS Level 1 exam since 2017)
4. Should have previous examining experience (undergraduate or postgraduate) or formal assessment experience
5. Should have teaching experience and training at undergraduate or postgraduate level
6. Should be committed to continuing professional development and research as demonstrated by presentations and publications
7. Should conduct themselves professionally and demonstrate a commitment to the development of the examination while showing a willingness to find time to write questions and attend training/assessment sessions.

Please note: these posts are for an initial duration of three years with potential for a further three years at the recommendation of EBCTS. There will be an appraisal after two years which will determine the period of continuation. Examiners will be expected to produce a minimum number of questions per annum to remain an examiner.

Qualifications, skills and experience required for Level 2 examiner applicants:

1. Must be a current member of EACTS and for the duration of their appointment as an EBCTS Examiner
2. Must have held a substantive and active position as a specialist for a minimum of 5 years and within the last two years for retired surgeons
3. Must have successfully taken the EBCTS (since 2013), ABTS or other recognised national specialty examination or the previous FEBTCS / FETCVS (EACTS examination prior to 2012)
4. Must have significant previous examining experience (undergraduate or postgraduate) or formal trainee assessment experience
5. Must have experience in teaching and training at undergraduate or postgraduate level
6. Should be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge in areas of interest to the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery
7. Should have a commitment to continuing professional development and research as demonstrated by presentations and publications
8. Must be able to demonstrate high professional standards, courtesy, fairness and non-discrimination by submission of a Structured Reference
9. Should conduct themselves professionally and demonstrate a commitment to the development of the examination while honouring commitments to writing questions, attending examinations (at least every 2 years) and training/assessment sessions – by submission of a signed declaration on the application form.

Please note: these posts are for an initial duration of three years with a potential for a further three years at the recommendation of EBCTS. There will be an appraisal after two years which will determine the period of continuation.

The Chairman of the Board, Professor Stephen Clark welcomes informal enquiries and can be contacted at [email protected].

EACTS is currently accepting expressions of interest from qualified applicants for a Board Member position on the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EBCTS).

The European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EBCTS) is committed to raising standards through assessment and is looking to recruit a new Board member to progress this work.

The EBCTS has greatly expanded its influence after a period of examination development and revision. EBCTS’ examination now comprises two distinct and high-quality components and several European countries have adopted the level 1 examination as their training exit exam, illustrating the importance and quality of EBCTS examinations.

EBCTS Board members oversee and direct the EBCTS and have a number of responsibilities, including:

• Assisting the EBCTS Chairman in conjunction with the EACTS Council and the executive committee of the EBCTS
• Developing and delivering EBCTS examinations
• Working supportively and collaboratively with the EBCTS administrative team to further professionalise EBCTS
• Contributing to developing regulations and defined processes
• Travelling to regular EBCTS board meetings
• Helping to disseminate the work done by the EBCTS and the outcomes of examinations
• Participating in EBCTS Board meetings
• Participating in EBCTS examination preparation and delivery.

Applicants must be EACTS members and currently practicing as an active cardiovascular or thoracic surgeon while holding an academic appointment with the following skills and experience:

• Significant experience in training and surgical education at national or international level
• Evidence of a strong professional reputation in the field of Cardiothoracic Surgery with a track record of working with peers in a positive, constructive and supportive manner
• Previous involvement with the Level 1 or 2 EBCTS examinations
• Experience of EACTS Academy involvement as a teacher (desirable).

Applicants are expected to complete a three-year term. Completion of the third year will be dependent on the satisfactory completion of the first two years.

Expressions of interest, including a CV and letter of motivation should be submitted to Amanda Cameron at [email protected] and Prof. Stephen Clark, Chairman of the Board at [email protected]

A firm foundation, and now it’s time to build…

EACTS’ new Chief Executive is Brendan Eley. He has a long track record in corporate governance and is bringing all his experience and expertise to the task of building an even brighter future for EACTS. Here, in his own words, he talks about his appointment and his immediate priorities.

“I am a lifelong voluntary sector worker with a strong background in relationships and governance. I’ve been the Chief Executive of a medical research charity for over 15 years, and that experience now finds me supporting EACTS in the same role. I’m passionate about the voluntary sector, about bringing high-quality, efficient, mission-led management, leadership and governance to good causes. I think the voluntary and public sectors demand and deserve that level of professionalism as much as anywhere else.

“I’ve been involved with EACTS now for nearly three years as a consultant. I’ve been to the Annual Meeting, I’ve attended the Council meetings and I undertook a major governance review in 2019. I thrive in organisations such as EACTS that are small in terms of structure but large in terms of breadth, reach and influence. That’s a credit to the people who work here and to the power of all the surgeons who volunteer their time to support the work of EACTS.

“You don’t need to be a cardiothoracic surgeon to be chief executive of EACTS. But you do need to know how to run an organisation, employ good governance and processes, put in place strong structures, have a clear strategy and know what is needed to achieve the agreed plan. EACTS has a firm foundation, and now it’s time to build on that and help drive the organisation forward, even further.

“I think most members and people associated with EACTS will welcome change. Post-Covid, we have to get ready for the new world, which means looking at the future of EACTS with an increasingly strategic perception. Where does the organisation want to be in the next ten years? It’s in a good position with its many members, our Annual Meeting, education programme and publications. Now we have to take all those jewels and make the most of them in a way that fits the future EACTS wants to see.

“My main priority is to look at our relationship with members and what we offer you. We need to review what we’re giving you, how we are communicating with you, and to genuinely put the members at the heart of everything that EACTS does. That will include looking at the Academy and the courses, and making sure that we are offering a compelling programme of exciting, meaningful and professional courses that remains the envy of the world.

“We have world-beating registries, courses and journals, and we need to ensure they serve the needs of surgeons in pursuit of the best outcomes for their patients. All those resources should have reach and impact, and be driven with the same self-sustaining mission of ultimately improving patient outcomes. I’m sure that every EACTS member would agree.

“We need to refocus on our relationships and partnerships with other associations. There is safety and impact in numbers. We are a global leader and I think we have a responsibility to play our part alongside all the other cardiothoracic and cardiology associations around the world.

“The power of EACTS is that we have a high-quality, committed team in Windsor and we have resources. We’re in a position where we can set out our stall for the next ten years and say, right, what are the priorities in the cardiothoracic world, what’s EACTS role? Then we need to start doing things. Such as professionalising, in the sense of reporting back to the members what our intentions are, how we’re doing it, how we’re getting on with it and what impact we’re having. We need to communicate and report on that more frequently for the membership.

“The Annual Meeting is EACTS’ crown jewel. It’s where our educational offering and our global role as a catalyst for thinking bring the key people together. It’s our shop window and we have an international reputation for this quality programme. When people come and interact with EACTS face to face and they see the excitement, the buzz, the quality, and they want to be part of that.

“A core partner for EACTS is industry. Although we want to stay true to an unfettered, unconflicted relationship, and we will never compromise on that, we know that industry is an important partner. So, looking ahead, developing, building and growing those relationships will be absolutely key for us.

“EACTS is in a position of strength, with membership growing significantly. From my perspective, I would like to see us grow the EACTS offering and membership base in other parts of the world, such as the Far East, Africa, Asia, South America. We have strong relationships there that we can build on, and I think EACTS has to get its message out there as wide as possible and to promote quality, purely with the intention of pursuing better cardiothoracic outcomes throughout the world.”