Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery requires learning both theoretical knowledge and technical skills. In this surgical field, several disparities exist between the different training programs around the world. This report describes the implementation of a portfolio in the teaching and assessment of French trainees in Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery, following an electronic logbook model, aiming to improve the training program. The French surgical course is a twelve semesters' curriculum divided in 3 parts, each part containing knowledge, technical skills and behaviors objectives to be validated, defined by the French College of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery. The competencies are marked in the logbook, following a declarative model where the surgical trainee fills every surgical procedure attended (all or part) if he/she has observed, partially or fully performed, or supervised another trainee. All the surgical procedures are linked to theoretical e-learning lessons and each e-learning lesson includes a self-evaluation. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/tqb-3804-egrf-in-7.html This constitutes a competency-based assessment model with milestones both for surgeon trainees and their mentors. This portfolio also contains complementary tools such as an automated publication point calculation, a formatted curriculum vitae generator, and several contact tools between trainees. Implementation of a dedicated portfolio following an electronic logbook model appears to be a relevant pedagogic tool and survey element in the thoracic and cardiovascular surgery training program. Its use may lead to potential educational benefits for the trainee, reliable competency assessment for the supervising surgeon and for scientific society or national college.The surgical setting is a highly complex environment where, in ideal conditions, everything should be under control to ensure a positive outcome. However, the existing complexity opens the possibility for multiple failures along the process and many of those failures are related to what is call the non-technical skills of the members of the team. We cannot eradicate human error, but we can try to avoid future mistakes in our daily practice introducing the awareness for providing a high-quality care in which patient safety is crucial. This paper presents an easy approach to concepts and teaching possibilities of those non-technical skills.Principles of surgical training have not changed, but methods of training are evolving very fast. Online tools are being adopted in both knowledge and skills training for surgical residents. As a result, to evaluate the outcome of these tools, online assessment is also developing. Knowledge resources are very diverse ranging from lectures, webinars, surgical videos to three-dimensional planning and printing. Skills resources include virtual reality simulators, remote skills training and interdisciplinary teamwork. Assessment of E-learning tools can be performed using online questions, task-based simulations, branching scenarios and online interviews/discussions. In thoracic surgery, video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy simulator has been developed and it appears to be an important tool for minimally invasive thoracic surgery education. Training programs incorporate e-Learning in their curriculum and online training and assessment will become an important part of thoracic surgical training as well.In 2005, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) launched a project to harmonise education and training and to address the heterogeneity of respiratory health training across Europe. Since then, various educational activities have been developed for different target audiences. This article will describe the overall methodology and the projects developed over the years, detailing their objectives and target audiences. Moving forward, ERS strives to provide a structure for the continuing professional development of respiratory physicians.Founded in 1958 the UEMS (Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes-European Union of Medical Specialists) has become the largest European Medical organization representing over 1.5 million specialists of 43 Specialties in 39 countries. The primary goal of UEMS is to defend the interests of Specialists in the broadest sense of the word. This includes promoting the highest quality of care, the highest standards of training, continuous professional development (CPD) and continuous medical education (CME). For the latter the European Accreditation Council for Continuous Medical Education (EACCME) is one of the main assets of UEMS. The UEMS Section of Thoracic Surgery was created in 2013 and has substantially contributed to the improvement of the identity of Thoracic Surgery as a specialty throughout Europe. Its main activities are focusing on harmonization of training and organization of the format of the UEMS Board in Thoracic Surgery as well as further molding of the specialty via an intense collaboration with all involved stakeholders over the specialty boundaries.Durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems are established therapy option in patients with end-stage heart failure, with increasing importance during the last years due to donor organ shortage. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are traditionally implanted through median sternotomy (MS). However, improvement in the pump designs during the last years led to evolvement of new surgical approaches that aim to reduce the invasiveness of the procedure. Numerous reports and studies have shown the viability and possible advantages of less-invasive approach compared to the sternotomy approach. The less invasive implant strategies for LVADs, while vague in definition, are characterized by minimizing surgical trauma and if possible, cardio-pulmonary bypass related complications. Usually it involves minimizing or completely avoiding sternal trauma, avoiding heart luxation while simultaneously leaving the major part of pericardium intact. There is no consensus between the centers regarding the ideal approach for LVAD implantation. Some centers, like our center, perform by default VAD implantation using less invasive approach in almost all patients and some centers use only sternotomy approach. The aim of this review article is to shed light on the currently available less invasive options of LVAD implantation, with particular focus on the centrifugal pumps, and their possible advantages compared to traditional sternotomy approach.