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Trust score 98/100
Dr James Douglas Aitchison
Cardiothoracic Surgery · Abu Dhabi
👤 2 years of experience
8,070+
Patients seen
2
Years in practice
9
Publications
1
Languages spoken
About
Dr. James Douglas Aitchison is an esteemed Consultant Thoracic Surgeon, certified in Cardiothoracic Surgery. With an impressive clinical background, he played a pivotal role in establishing the new Thoracic Surgery Service at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City Hospital (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Mayo Clinic.
Having served as the Head of Thoracic Surgery at SSMC and Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in Surgery at Khalifa University, Dr. Aitchison boasts extensive experience within the UAE. Prior to his tenure in Abu Dhabi, he worked for over a decade at The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Basildon Hospital, England, where he pioneered a successful minimal access lung cancer surgery service.
Dr. Aitchison's expertise spans adult cardiac and thoracic surgery, including procedures like coronary artery bypass grafts, aortic valve replacement, and surgery of the aorta. In thoracic surgery, he excels in lung cancer surgeries, utilising minimal access techniques like uniportal surgery and thoracoscopy whenever possible. His skills also extend to emergency rib and sternal fixation for major trauma, pleural disease surgeries, chest wall resection, mediastinal tumour excision, and lung nodule excision.
A distinguished researcher, Dr. Aitchison holds a research MD with distinction on Lung Transplantation from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He has contributed to prestigious medical journals and is an active member of the Thoracic Surgery Chapter of Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS) and the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (UK).
Dr. Aitchison's qualifications include First Class Honours for his bachelor's degree in Cardiac Electrophysiology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, MBBS, and FRCS from London and Edinburgh. He underwent comprehensive training in cardiothoracic surgery in prominent medical institutions, including Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and Papworth Hospital, Cambridge. He completed a clinical fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery in Washington University in St. Louis at Barnes Jewish and Christian Hospital NorthEast.
With a passion for education, Dr. Aitchison also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. He has been actively involved in training and leadership roles throughout his career, serving as the Negotiating Committee Chair and Foundation Programme Director at Basildon Hospital, England.
Dr. Aitchison's special interests include thoracic surgery, particularly lung cancer surgeries, uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, localization biopsy of lung masses, chest trauma, mediastinoscopy, mediastinal staging, Endobronchial Ultrasound and biopsy (EBUS), chest wall tumours, mediastinal tumours, thymoma, pneumothorax, and decortication for empyema. His commitment to providing exceptional care, along with his pioneering approach to surgery, makes him a highly sought-after expert in the field.
Having served as the Head of Thoracic Surgery at SSMC and Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor in Surgery at Khalifa University, Dr. Aitchison boasts extensive experience within the UAE. Prior to his tenure in Abu Dhabi, he worked for over a decade at The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, Basildon Hospital, England, where he pioneered a successful minimal access lung cancer surgery service.
Dr. Aitchison's expertise spans adult cardiac and thoracic surgery, including procedures like coronary artery bypass grafts, aortic valve replacement, and surgery of the aorta. In thoracic surgery, he excels in lung cancer surgeries, utilising minimal access techniques like uniportal surgery and thoracoscopy whenever possible. His skills also extend to emergency rib and sternal fixation for major trauma, pleural disease surgeries, chest wall resection, mediastinal tumour excision, and lung nodule excision.
A distinguished researcher, Dr. Aitchison holds a research MD with distinction on Lung Transplantation from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He has contributed to prestigious medical journals and is an active member of the Thoracic Surgery Chapter of Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS) and the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (UK).
Dr. Aitchison's qualifications include First Class Honours for his bachelor's degree in Cardiac Electrophysiology from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, MBBS, and FRCS from London and Edinburgh. He underwent comprehensive training in cardiothoracic surgery in prominent medical institutions, including Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and Papworth Hospital, Cambridge. He completed a clinical fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery in Washington University in St. Louis at Barnes Jewish and Christian Hospital NorthEast.
With a passion for education, Dr. Aitchison also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. He has been actively involved in training and leadership roles throughout his career, serving as the Negotiating Committee Chair and Foundation Programme Director at Basildon Hospital, England.
Dr. Aitchison's special interests include thoracic surgery, particularly lung cancer surgeries, uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, localization biopsy of lung masses, chest trauma, mediastinoscopy, mediastinal staging, Endobronchial Ultrasound and biopsy (EBUS), chest wall tumours, mediastinal tumours, thymoma, pneumothorax, and decortication for empyema. His commitment to providing exceptional care, along with his pioneering approach to surgery, makes him a highly sought-after expert in the field.
“Evidence-based care tailored to each patient — taking the time to explain options and shared decisions.”
— Dr James Douglas Aitchison
Education & training
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2015–2021 MD · Medicine and Surgery
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2021–2025 Residency · Cardiothoracic Surgery
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2025–2026 Fellowship · Subspecialty training
Career & appointments
-
2025-09–2026-08 Junior consultant
Licenses & insurance
Medical licenses
AE — Organización Médica Colegial de España (OMC)
Board certifications
European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Malpractice insurance:
HDI Global · 3,000,000 EUR coverage · No claims on file
Procedures performed
| Procedure | Code | Lifetime count |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation | 99213 | 2,127 |
| Annual physical exam | 99395 | 1,753 |
| Vaccination administration | 90471 | 2,057 |
| Minor procedure (skin) | 17110 | 1,038 |
Services & pricing
| Service | Duration | Modality | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| New patient consultation (60m) | 60 min | in_clinic|telemed | 180.00 EUR |
| Follow-up consultation (30m) | 30 min | in_clinic|telemed|phone | 90.00 EUR |
| Vaccination administration | 120 min | in_clinic | 450.00 EUR |
| Minor procedure (skin) | 30 min | in_clinic | 180.00 EUR |
Office, team & in practice
Videos
Research & publications
h-index: 6 · i10: 4
-
European registry analysis of Cardiothoracic Surgery outcomes
DOI: 10.9678/euroclin.2025.0 · PMID: 30438204 · cited by 39
-
Outcomes of Cardiothoracic Surgery in adults — a multi-centre cohort
DOI: 10.4393/euroclin.2024.1 · PMID: 37638129 · cited by 85
-
European registry analysis of Cardiothoracic Surgery outcomes
DOI: 10.3416/euroclin.2023.2 · PMID: 33974972 · cited by 187
Invited talks
- Practical updates in Cardiothoracic Surgery European Annual Congress (Cardiothoracic Surgery) · Vienna · 2024 · invited
- Single-centre experience in Cardiothoracic Surgery National Society Meeting · Abu Dhabi · 2023 · oral abstract
Awards & memberships
Awards
- 🏆 Top-rated Cardiothoracic Surgery — Abu Dhabi · EuroClinics Patient Choice · 2025 · regional
- 🏆 Excellence in Patient Care · National Society · 2024 · national
- 🏆 Young Investigator Award · European Society · 2023 · international
Society memberships
- WONCA Europe — Family Doctors — Member · Since 2026
- national college of family doctors — Member · Since 2026
- European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) — Member · Since 2026
Articles by this doctor
- Patient education Patient guide to Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Awareness When should you see a cardiothoracic surgery?
For international patients
- Coordinator
- Patient liaison · james.a@euroclinics.example
- Accepted international insurance
- Allianz Worldwide · AXA Global · BUPA Global · Cigna Global
Location
1 tagPatient reviews
5 verified reviews5.00
★★★★★
5 reviews
- Bedside Manner
- 5.0
- Knowledge
- 5.0
- Wait Time
- 4.8
- Staff Friendliness
- 5.0
- Ease Of Appointment
- 4.9
- Value For Money
- 4.9
- Would Recommend Pct
- 99.0
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Recent reviews
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★★★★★ ✓ Verified Very thorough first visit — explained every step. Booking was easy and the staff were welcoming.
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★★★★★ ✓ Verified Took time to listen and reviewed all my previous results. I would absolutely recommend.
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★★★★☆ ✓ Verified Professional and knowledgeable. Wait on the day was a bit long, otherwise excellent.
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