The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) recognizes the importance of high-quality data collection to inform and advance health policy initiatives, cardiothoracic surgeon compensation and reimbursement, cardiothoracic surgery practice, education, research, and quality improvement. To preserve the integrity of member engagement and minimize survey fatigue, the Society will not disseminate third-party, ad hoc surveys to its membership and will only distribute surveys that are developed and sponsored by the Society itself. 

Surveys created and disseminated by the Society shall be undertaken only when all the following conditions are met:
 

  1. Strategic Alignment


    The proposed survey aligns with the Society’s mission, priorities, and objectives articulated in the current STS Strategic Plan. 

     

  2. Demonstrated Need and Relevance
     

    The proposed survey addresses significant data gaps to shed light on major questions within the realms of health policy, cardiothoracic surgeon compensation and reimbursement, cardiothoracic surgery practice, education, member engagement, quality improvement, and research.

     

  3. Scientific Merit and Actionability
     

    The proposed survey instrument is methodologically sound, appropriately scoped, highly targeted, concise, and designed to generate meaningful and actionable information for STS and/or the cardiothoracic surgery specialty.

     

  4. Member Survey Burden


    The proposed survey timing, audience, and anticipated respondent burden are established to avoid extraneous duplication and survey fatigue among members.

STS surveys should be developed within and recommended for dissemination by an STS presidential task force or one the Society’s four councils. The Executive Committee must provide final approval for the dissemination of any STS survey, except the Society’s core, periodic surveys shown in Appendix A that form an essential part of the organization’s ongoing business needs.

 

Appendix A

  1. STS Compensation Survey
     

  2. STS Practice/Cardiothoracic Surgeon Workforce Surveys
     

  3. STS RUC-Related Surveys
     

  4. STS Membership Survey
     

Amended by the STS Executive Committee: July 8, 2026