Hilzenrat Roy A, Bondzi-Simpson Adom, Huynh Caroline, Ko Michael, Ashrafi Ahmad S
Global Surgery Lab, Branch for Global Surgical Care, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
JTCVS Open. 2025 May 4;25:501-509. doi: 10.1016/j.xjon.2025.03.020. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Thoracic pathologies pose a substantial health burden in low- and middle-income countries. Compounding the high incidence of these conditions, a global shortage and unequal distribution of surgical professionals exacerbate morbidity, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years in these regions. Global thoracic surgery aims to address these disparities. This study explores the interest, engagement, and perceived importance of global surgical care among Canadian thoracic surgeons.
A self-administered electronic survey was distributed to members of the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgery. The survey assessed perceptions of global surgery, willingness to engage in international collaborations, institutional resources, and barriers to participation.
Thirty-three practicing thoracic surgeons participated, most of whom worked in academic centers (23 out of 33 [69.7%]). A majority (30 out of 33 [90.9%]) believed international collaboration enhances thoracic surgery. Although 48.5% (16 out of 33) were willing to travel abroad to support surgical capacity in low- and middle-income countries, and an equal percentage expressed interest in research addressing low- and middle-income countries' needs, only 21.2% (7 out of 33) had prior involvement in global thoracic surgery. Key barriers included a lack of institutional support (26 out of 33 [78.8%]), limited formal collaborative opportunities (26 out of 33 [78.8%]), inadequate funding (30 out of 33 [90.9%]), and an absence of recognized pathways for career development in global surgery (29 out of 33 [87.9%]).
Canadian thoracic surgeons have a keen interest in global surgical initiatives; however, they face significant barriers in institutional support, resources, and accessibility of collaborative opportunities. Tackling these challenges through strengthened institutional policies, directed funding, and the establishment of a dedicated national network may enhance engagement in global thoracic surgical care.
胸科疾病在低收入和中等收入国家造成了沉重的健康负担。这些疾病的高发病率，再加上全球外科专业人员短缺和分布不均，加剧了这些地区的发病率、死亡率和伤残调整生命年。全球胸外科旨在解决这些差异。本研究探讨了加拿大胸外科医生对全球外科护理的兴趣、参与度和感知重要性。
向加拿大胸外科协会成员发放了一份自行填写的电子调查问卷。该调查评估了对全球外科手术的看法、参与国际合作的意愿、机构资源以及参与的障碍。
33名执业胸外科医生参与了调查，其中大多数在学术中心工作（33人中有23人[69.7%]）。大多数人（33人中有30人[90.9%]）认为国际合作能提升胸外科手术水平。虽然48.5%（33人中有16人）愿意出国支持低收入和中等收入国家的手术能力，且相同比例的人表示对针对低收入和中等收入国家需求的研究感兴趣，但只有21.2%（33人中有7人）曾参与过全球胸外科手术。主要障碍包括缺乏机构支持（33人中有26人[78.8%]）、正式合作机会有限（33人中有26人[78.8%]）、资金不足（33人中有30人[90.9%]）以及全球外科领域缺乏公认的职业发展途径（33人中有29人[87.9%]）。
加拿大胸外科医生对全球外科倡议有着浓厚兴趣；然而，他们在机构支持、资源以及合作机会的可及性方面面临重大障碍。通过加强机构政策、定向资金投入以及建立专门的国家网络来应对这些挑战，可能会提高对全球胸外科护理的参与度。
