Three Decades of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Residents' Committee.

Abstract

The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Residents' Committee (RC), established in 1996, has become a key driver of trainee representation and innovation in cardiothoracic surgery. Created to address heterogeneity in training across Europe, the RC has helped shape educational standards, promoted resident involvement in governance, and advanced academic development. Through surveys, targeted educational initiatives, and dedicated publication platforms, the Committee has identified persistent challenges while fostering collaboration and scholarship among trainees. Its recent expansion into digital education and global partnerships reflects an evolving role in a rapidly changing field. This Editorial provides an historical overview and highlights the efforts of the RC in training standardization, inclusivity, and international collaboration. Copyright © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site-for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com. This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights)