Staying grounded is the most challenging part of a career as a thoracic
surgeon. "Sometimes what I do is so surreal," admits Dr. Camilla Mican. "The
fact that people trust me to make an incision in their bodies and cause them
pain in order to hopefully become healed is something I try not to take for
granted, because it's a very sacred relationship."
But those aren't the only demands of the job. Aside from patients, Mican
also deals with nurses and office staff. There's a lot to handle and a lot
to get done. "Sometimes there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day!"
Mican gets a great deal of personal satisfaction from her career. "I'm
very good at what I do.... My patients seem, for the most part, to do quite
well despite the fact that they have multiple medical problems typical of
an aging population that hasn't taken very good care of itself."
There is another benefit. "The career also helps me afford some of my hobbies,
such as puppetry and crafts."
Mican chose the profession because her parents were very encouraging and
she was very good at science. "I'm the type of person who requires instant
gratification, and [I] wouldn't do well managing patients with chronic diseases
such as hypertension [high-blood pressure] or diabetes. I'd get frustrated
with patients who are non-compliant about their medical care and who wouldn't
listen to advice. What I do causes instant results while the patient is asleep."
Thoracic surgeon Dr. John Miller has been in the profession for over 10
years. "It's an incredible privilege and responsibility."
Miller says thoracic surgery has the highest risk and mortality of all
surgeries. "You have to make a professional decision and work toward having
an open, emotional discussion."
The trick is maintaining some emotional involvement without becoming so
emotionally involved that it affects the surgeon's own health.
Despite the stresses and worries, Smith still finds the profession exciting.
"It's a great way to make a living if you can enjoy the stress. There are
few things I can think of that are as consistently exciting as heart surgery."
Smith cautions those considering this profession to remain flexible. "You
have to be crazy to do this if making money is your goal. There are lots of
easier ways to do that. Do it because you love to do it, just like everything
else."
Dr. Julie Swain, of the University of Kentucky Medical College, agrees
that the challenges are many. "It is the most difficult type of surgery,"
she says. She gets satisfaction from "doing good work, [and] getting good
results."
The work is hard and the hours can be long -- sometimes up to 100 hours
per week for Swain. "This isn't the specialty for having a robust home life.
You have to weigh your lifestyle against your working hours. You have to decide
how much job satisfaction you have versus lifestyle matters."
Swain was fortunate to have a good mentor -- a pioneer in the field. But
it's not all good news. Few women are thoracic surgeons. "In the last 40 years,
only 108 have been board certified."
Swain was the first woman in the U.S. to become a chief of cardiac surgery,
and she is only the second one to ever reach that level.
Stress is a big factor, and if you can't effectively handle it and make
quick decisions based on sound judgment, then this profession isn't for you.
Dr. Craig Smith is the chief of cardio-thoracic surgery at Columbia Presbyterian
Medical Center in New York City. His biggest challenge is "constantly operating
in critical situations. Operating is great fun, very challenging and very
rewarding."
Miller was attracted to the profession because there was
an element of high risk involved.
His enthusiasm for the career remains boundless. "It's a high-level surgical
specialty that's tremendously satisfying. It's extraordinarily satisfying.
It can be horrific and scary, but it's [loaded] with opportunities."