The human face of the cardiac surgery job market in Canada

I have sent my CV and lettres of intent looking for a consultant's position in Cardiac surgery in Canada. After one e-mail follow-up I have received negative responses for 2/3 of all canadian centres that do cardiac surgery. The rest remain curiously silent. I want a job at any centre, community or academic. All I want to do is have the opportunity to practice independently. I am more that ready to do it. I have done residencies in general surgery, thoracic surgery, and cardiac surgery and I have written and passed the Royal College general surgery and cardiac surgery fellowship exams. I have done a 2 year clinical fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.

I awknowledge that I have made mistakes, both personal and professional, that have affected my career negatively. I have not been academically productive as much as I should have been, yet I am academically minded. I have not developed mentor relationships that would help me. However, I have worked hard, my patients have been well looked after, I have been honest and honourable, and I am an above average surgeon. I have nothing to hide and anyone can ask anybody with whom I have worked as a peer or a supervisor.

I believe in Canada and the public healthcare system, so I do not want to stay in the US. This would be difficut because of my J1 visa. I am not interested in wealth but I would appreciate a comfortable life with more pay than what I get as a fellow.

There are material things that I would like to have: I would like to have a house, a nicer car, nicer furniture, learn to SCUBA dive, become a pilot, learn to sail and take a few intreresting trips. I may even want a cottage.

More importantly, on the emotional side, I would like to have a sense of stabiltiy and pemanence without having to move around; I would like a place to call my own home; I would like to have some ownership of my time; I would like to be able to make my own decisions about my patients; I would like to be able to spend time wtih my dog; I would like to be treated with respect for what I know and what I am able to do; I would like to write more; I would like to develop some ideas of my own to improve the care of patients; I would like to not worry about my retirement.

I am 39 and I feel that I have lost many productive years of my life. By the time I start working in my 40's I will have lost about 5 or more years of surgical experience. I may not be able to to do all the things I want to do. Being a surgical trainee does not lend itself to exploring other pursuits.

I hate to sound like a complainer or a whiner. I am not. I have been fortunate and lucky in life. My basic needs are secure. I have had opportunities many would envy. I have a loving family. I have a loving girlfriend. I have self-respect and I have honour. I can be proud of my achievments.

But I think it is time for me to ask to have the opportunity to work. I am qualified and I am competent. I have invested time and effort. Canadian society has invested in me. I am loyal to Canada for this.

What does the system owe me? Some may say nothing. I think I am owed a timely opportunity to show what I can do and what I can contribute. After that, anyone can judge and decide if I deserve to go on. No guarantees if I screw up. Agreed.