Practise the Thoracic Surgery conversation that can shape your match

Question practice

Questions drawn from the realities of Thoracic Surgery

Practise explaining the clinical decisions, patient conversations and career experiences that matter in Thoracic Surgery—then handle follow-ups that ask for evidence behind your first answer.

1. 01

   Many applicants are drawn to surgery; what makes you specifically choose the unique challenges of the mediastinum, lungs, esophagus, and heart over other surgical subspecialties?

2. 02

   You are scrubbed in on a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure; what are the key steps in preparing the coronary arteries for grafting and selecting appropriate conduit?

3. 03

   During a busy cardiothoracic ICU round, a junior resident provides an incomplete handoff for a post-op aortic dissection patient. How do you address this to ensure continuity of care and teach the junior resident?

4. 04

   A patient has given consent for a robotic thymectomy, but during the procedure, technical difficulties arise, and the attending switches to an open sternotomy. How do you manage this communication with the family post-operatively?

5. 05

   What are the common metrics used to assess quality of care in a thoracic surgery program (e.g., STS database, readmission rates, complications), and why are they important?

6. 06

   How do you prefer to receive feedback, especially in the high-stakes environment of a thoracic operating room or during a critical care discussion?