Table 1:

Questions included in the survey by category

Demographics	Training		Evaluation
Age	How many hours do you work on an average week?	Do you use a training management system (TMS)?	Is there a regular evaluation of your skills?
Gender	How many operating room sessions (half day) do you attend on an average week?	How many years of training after Med School are required until you are certified as a specialist?	How many major surgical procedures required for certification?
Country where you are doing residency	How many cases do you assist per week?	Do you have protected time for research?	Do you have to take a final exam (excluding the European Board Exam) for certification?
Are you an EACTS member?	How many cases do you operate as principal operator per week?	Are you satisfied with the research opportunities of your programme?	Are you expected by your institution to take the European Board Exam?
Which year of training are you in?	Are you satisfied with the operative exposure of your programme?	How satisfied are you with the quality of your training?
Predicted calendar year for finishing your training?	How many hours are you on call per week?	Are you aware of the existence of a National Residents association in your country?
Speciality: cardiac, thoracic, cardio-thoracic, cardio-vascular	How much time do you spend on administration? (hours a week)
Do you have a post-graduate degree?	Is European Working Time Directive (EWTD) implemented in your centre?