J Extra Corpor Technol 2025 , 57 , 50 – 52 Ó The Author ( s ), published by EDP Sciences , 2025 https :// doi . org / 10.1051 / ject / 2024040
Available online at : ject . edpsciences . org
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The feasibility of centralized application services for perfusion education programs
Blaine Johnson ( MBA , CCP ) 1 , 2 ,*
1 Perfusion Services , UChicago Medicine , 5841 S Maryland Ave , Ste E500 , MC5040 , Chicago , IL 60637 , USA 2 Perfusion Education Program , University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine , 200 Hawkins Dr , C43-Z GH , Iowa City , IA 52242 , USA
Received 26 November 2024 , Accepted 13 December 2024
Abstract – The perfusion profession has recently experienced significant advancements in education and practice . Despite competition from other healthcare professions , the demand for perfusionists continues to grow . This work explores the evolving landscape of perfusion education programs in the United States over the past three decades , highlighting the growing number of accredited programs and rising applicant interest . Additionally , this letter further examines the potential benefits of implementing a centralized application service for perfusion education programs , which could streamline the application process and reduce associated costs for prospective students . By analyzing current trends , including a significant rise in the number of Certified Clinical Perfusionists and enrollment in perfusion education programs , this work underscores the importance of enhancing admission mechanisms to meet the future challenges of the profession . These findings suggest that adopting centralized application services may improve accessibility and efficiency in the application process , ultimately supporting the continued growth of the perfusion profession .
Key words : Perfusion Education Programs , Centralized application services , Quality improvement , Certification , Accreditation .
Discussion
Over the past thirty years , there have been significant changes in medicine , medical economics , and medical education . The field of perfusion is dynamic and continuously evolving , and these changes are reflected in its practice . It has been said that “ the strength of the perfusion profession is tied to the success of perfusion education programs ” ( PEPs ) [ 1 ]. This work aims to examine whether and how the introduction of centralized application services ( CASs ) could enhance the application process for PEPs in the United States .
The field of perfusion is experiencing significant changes due to rapid advancements in innovative technologies and techniques , which are creating new opportunities for growth and expansion of perfusion practice . In recent years , there has been a steady increase in the number of PEPs in the United States . Concurrently , the number of students applying to and graduating from these programs has also risen substantially , indicating a promising future for the profession .
Since 1969 , a variety of perfusion programs have been established at universities and hospitals [ 2 ]. By 1994 , there were thirty-five PEPs in the United States [ 3 ]. As of 2024 , twenty-one PEPs have received accreditation from the
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs based on recommendations from the Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education [ 4 ]. Additionally , three other programs are currently pending candidate accreditation .
Currently , there are two entry-level degree types in the perfusion profession : a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate ( 25 % [ 6 / 24 ]) or a Master ' s Degree ( 75 % [ 18 / 24 ]). In 2023 , the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion administered 259 Perfusion Basic Science Examinations to first-time examinees and 250 Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examinations to first-time examinees [ 5 ]. Additionally , the total number of Certified Clinical Perfusionists has increased by 44.5 % from 3,375 in 2000 to 4,878 in 2023 .
Findingenoughqualified applicants is no longer a challenge , despite competition from other life science and allied health professions [ 6 , 7 ]. Recent trends indicate a significant increase in applications for PEPs . This surge is likely due to the growing demand for qualified perfusionists in the healthcare field , primarily fueled by an aging population and an increase in cardiac surgical procedures requiring perfusion support . These trends have also raised concerns about a potential shortage of perfusionists , further enhancing the number of applications received [ 8 , 9 ].
* Corresponding author : blaine . johnson @ uchicagomedicine . org
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https :// creativecommons . org / licenses / by / 4.0 ), which permits unrestricted use , distribution , and reproduction in any medium , provided the original work is properly cited .