<p>I have a question about solo or group practice. You see I want to be a cardiovascular surgeon and would also like to have my own practice, but i don't know if this is rather wise. So can anyone answer wether it is more lucrative to start your own practice or to join a group or even an academic setting as a cardiovascular surgeon? Now I don't want you to get the idea that I am in Medicine only for money but I just have always wanted to be my own boss, but i don't want to go into it w/o an open mind.</p>
<p>As a recent graduate, it would probably be best/easiest to join an existing group. After practicing for a while and creating a good reputation, then you could then split off and start your own practice.</p>
<p>That said, can surgeons have their own practice? I've always been under the impression that surgeons only worked in hospitals.</p>
<p>Why would anyone want to even contemplate such a thing at this stage?</p>
<p>Because I was recently talking to my uncle who is a cardiologist and he kept saying that cv surgery is dead and that it is no longer a viable field and how i shouldnt try to get in the field because their arent many job oppurtunities so i just wanted to now of the career oppurtunities in that field.</p>
<p>Are you currently in high school, university, or med school? If you're not currently in med school, don't worry too much about specialties. You still have a few years to decide, and chances are you'll end up changing your mind when you're exposed to all the different areas.</p>
<p>In terms of job opportunities, a lot could/will change between now and when you complete your residency. In many other health related careers, there will be lots of openings in the next 10 years because people are retiring.</p>
<p>By all acounts of CT surgeons there are problems finding jobs and recent grads are having a hard time finding jobs. But it all depends on who you ask. Some people say no jobs, others say tons so you can't really trust anyone except yourself. Plus if you are this young I think you have other things to worry about besides what type of doc you will be and if you will practice solo or not. First get into med school. Then get into a gen surg residency, then a CT fellowship. Once you have done this you can worry about if you will practice solo or not.</p>
<p>thanks a lot everyone.</p>
<p>These interviews don't speak directly to your solo vs. group question, but still may be of interest...
<a href="http://www.amsa.org/surg/cardio_int2.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://www.amsa.org/surg/cardio_int2.cfm</a></p>
<p>In this years CT match there were 39 vacancies in programs. Nowadays if you qualify grade wise you can usually get into CT Surg Fellowships. The problem with it comes when your done with the fellowship and you have problems finding a job. Heres the link for the match results <a href="http://www.nrmp.org/fellow/match_name/thoracic/stats.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.nrmp.org/fellow/match_name/thoracic/stats.html</a></p>