DELIVERING VALUE

It is important that we deliver relevant, high-quality services for both the surgical and non-surgical community and engage with the widest geographical need. We will explore new and improved ways of communicating, building on existing channels and recent initiatives such as the launch of the EACTS’ podcast and the WiCTS webinar series. We are also developing a new website that will house the very best in cardiothoracic content.

World-leading education

The EACTS’ Academy programme has a strong reputation for delivering high quality education. In 2023 we are providing more opportunities to gain valuable hands-on training and critical skills and knowledge.

We have invested in new technology which enables us to run many courses in a hybrid format, offering greater flexibility and accessibility to participants so our courses remain available to everyone regardless of location and circumstance.

We are focused on delivering a compelling educational curriculum, ensuring we continue to address the right topics and meet the learning and development needs of our members.

An association of surgery

Early in 2023 we relaunched ICVTS to become Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery. This important change will see the journal focus on highly innovative, interdisciplinary research that directly impacts surgical practice and will encourage collaboration across multidisciplinary teams in cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery.

Patients who have undergone heart surgery are increasingly supported by a multidisciplinary team from surgeons and nurses to anaesthetists and perfusionists. We must therefore demonstrate the importance and relevance of EACTS to the whole heart team, giving an appropriately strong voice to Allied Health Professionals at the Annual Meeting and providing the right educational courses as part of the Academy programme. We want to be recognised as an association for surgery not just surgeons.

Quality Improvement

Clinical practice guidelines have a huge impact on patient care, and we have taken the strategic decision to enhance our work in this area. To demonstrate our commitment, we have appointed Milan Milojevic, former Chair of the Guidelines Task Force, as Clinical Practice Guidelines Director and a new Programme Manager.

Driving new innovation

Cardiothoracic care will undoubtedly look different in 20 years and we need to consider our role in supporting new ways to improve patient outcomes.

We are exploring how we can provide meaningful help to innovators across cardiothoracic surgery and help drive new technologies. In April we will bring together world leaders from the surgical, research and associated academic specialities convene to explore, shape and plan the new future of cardiothoracic surgical intervention for the first EACTS Innovation Summit. This ‘invitationonly’ two-day event is a fantastic opportunity to scan and plan the horizon of future cardiothoracic technologies and treatments and explore our own role in harnessing innovation to improve patient outcomes in the future.

A bright future

EACTS is changing for the better. The recent election of our first woman Vice-President signals the direction in which we are heading, becoming a more diverse, modern association that is well-placed to meet the changing needs of our members. Over the coming months we will launch our new brand and updated mission that will mark a new dawn for EACTS. I am excited for our future.

Brendan Eley, Chief Executive