Education in vascular surgery: Critical issues in India.

The first department of vascular surgery in India was established in 1978, and the first training course in peripheral vascular surgery was started in 1985. Despite this, vascular surgery has been slow to develop in India. The widespread misconception that vascular diseases are uncommon and that the result of vascular reconstruction is poor has resulted in vascular surgery not being popular among the medical students. Only 10 medical colleges have dedicated vascular surgical departments; hence, most students do not have enough knowledge about vascular diseases and the treatment options. This lack of awareness has resulted in a delay in diagnosis of vascular problems that results in poor outcome. At present there are only seven training centers for vascular surgery, training 12 students every year. Students receive adequate training in open surgical procedures, but endovascular training is still inadequate. Endovascular treatment has not picked up because of the expense and nonavailability of catheterization laboratories to vascular surgeons. The Vascular Society of India (VSI) has proposed to correct these problems by starting more training centers in private hospitals, starting vascular services in different parts of the country, conducting a nationwide awareness campaign, and conducting more continuing medical education programs and workshops for the general surgical trainees. VSI has been conducting endovascular workshops for the vascular trainees and has arranged for fellowships abroad in reputed vascular units. VSI is looking forward to having active interaction with World Federation of Vascular Societies to create more training opportunities for the young vascular surgeons.