A narrative review of telemedicine and its adoption across specialties.

Background and Objective: Telemedicine and video consultation are crucial advancements in healthcare, allowing remote delivery of care. Telemedicine, encompassing various technologies like wearable devices, mobile health, and telemedicine, plays a significant role in managing illnesses and promoting wellness. The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, ensuring convenient access to medical services while maintaining physical distance. Legislation has supported its integration into clinical practice and addressed compensation issues. However, ensuring clinical appropriateness and sustainability of telemedicine post-expansion has gained attention. We south to identify the most friendly and resistant specialties to telemedicine and to understand areas of interest within those specialties to grasp potential barriers to its use. Methods: We aimed to identify articles that incorporated telemedicine in any medical or surgical specialty and determine the adoption rate and intent of this new form of care. Additionally, a secondary search within these databases was conducted to analyze the advantages, disadvantages, and implementation of telemedicine in the healthcare system. Non-English articles and those without full text were excluded. The study selection and data collection process involved using search terms such as "medicine", "surgery", "specialties", "telemedicine", and "telemedicine". Key Content and Findings: Telemedicine adoption varies among specialties. The pandemic led to increased usage, with telemedicine consultations comprising 30.1% of all visits, but specialties like mental health, gastroenterology, and endocrinology showed higher rates of adoption compared to optometry, physical therapy, and orthopedic surgery. Conclusions: The data shows that telemedicine uptake varies by specialty and condition due to the need for physical exams. In-person visits still dominate new patient visits despite increased telemedicine use. Telemedicine cannot fully replace in-person care but has increased visit volume and is secure. The adoption of telemedicine is higher in medical practices than in surgical practices, with neurosurgery and urology leading. Further research is needed to assess telemedicine's suitability and effectiveness in different specialties and conditions.

AI and Ethics: A Systematic Review of the Ethical Considerations of Large Language Model Use in Surgery Research.

INTRODUCTION: As large language models receive greater attention in medical research, the investigation of ethical considerations is warranted. This review aims to explore surgery literature to identify ethical concerns surrounding these artificial intelligence models and evaluate how autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice are represented within these ethical discussions to provide insights in order to guide further research and practice. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Five electronic databases were searched in October 2023. Eligible studies included surgery-related articles that focused on large language models and contained adequate ethical discussion. Study details, including specialty and ethical concerns, were collected. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 1179 articles, with 53 meeting the inclusion criteria. Plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and neurosurgery were the most represented surgical specialties. Autonomy was the most explicitly cited ethical principle. The most frequently discussed ethical concern was accuracy (n = 45, 84.9%), followed by bias, patient confidentiality, and responsibility. CONCLUSION: The ethical implications of using large language models in surgery are complex and evolving. The integration of these models into surgery necessitates continuous ethical discourse to ensure responsible and ethical use, balancing technological advancement with human dignity and safety.

Attractiveness and gender dynamics in surgical specialties: a comparative analysis of French medical graduates (2017-2022).

BACKGROUND: French medical graduates undertake a national examination at the end of their studies with a subsequent national ranking. Specialty is then chosen by each candidate according to their ranking. This study aims to describe the attractiveness of surgical specialties and the evolution of the male-female distribution among French medical graduates (FMG) from 2017 to 2022. METHODS: Our database included the candidates' ranking, sex and choice of specialty from 2017 to 2022. It included all French medical graduates from 2017 to 2022 and all French medical schools. A linear regression was performed to predict future trends. Dependent variables were mean rankings and the percentage of women. The independent variable was year of application. A Pearson correlation was performed to examine any relationship with mean workweek. RESULTS: A total number of 5270 residents chose a surgical programme between 2017 and 2022. The number of residents who were assigned their desired surgical programme held stable at 878 surgical residents per year. Plastic and reconstructive surgery remained the most frequently chosen surgical programme. Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery was the least frequently chosen surgical programme between 2017 and 2022. The mean ranking for a candidate choosing a surgical programme rose significantly by 9% from 2017 to 2022 (p < 0.01). Neurosurgery exhibited the greatest fall as a surgical specialty as its rankings decreased by 163.6% (p < 0.01). Maxillo-facial surgery was the only specialty with a statistically significant increase in its rankings by 35.9% (p < 0.05). The overall proportion of women was 51.1%. Obstetrics-and-gynecology was the highest represented specialty among female candidates, with a mean of 83.9% of women. Orthopedic surgery was the lowest represented, being composed of a mean of 28.6% of women. The number of female surgical residents increased significantly over the six-year period, by 7.6% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: More and more medical school graduates decide not to choose surgery for their residency programme. Some specialties continue to be attractive while many are losing their appeal. While there does appear to be progress towards gender equity, further investigation is necessary to assess its actual implementation.

Virtual Signaling and Emerging Trends in its Use Across Surgical Specialties.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate program signaling in surgical specialties, analyze its influence on residency applications, and provide recommendations for enhancing its consistency and effectiveness. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed AAMC ERAS data from the 2021 to 2022 and 2023 residency match cycles, focusing on surgical specialties including general surgery, neurological surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedic surgery. RESULTS: A positive correlation existed between the number of signals received and the number of applicants to a program across 4 surgical specialties. 10% of programs in each specialty received between 17% and 28% of all signals. There was a negative correlation between the number of current DO residents at a program and the number of signals received. Amongst surgical specialties, those with more signals per applicant had a more equitable distribution of signals across competitive programs. University programs received the most signals, programs were less likely to receive signals if they had a higher percentage of DO residents, and IMG applicants were less likely to send signals. CONCLUSION: Specialties with more signals per applicant had a more equitable distribution of signals across competitive programs, and university programs received proportionally more signals than community programs. Further research is required to investigate the disparities in signaling and the impact of signaling on successful matching.

The global distribution of oral and maxillofacial surgeons: a mixed-methods study.

Despite its role in treating the most dominant non-communicable diseases worldwide, the global workforce of oral and maxillofacial (OM) surgeons is not well-characterized. To address the current deficit in understanding of the global OM surgeon workforce and to elevate oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) in the global health discourse, we join other surgical specialties in evaluating global surgical capacity with a descriptive analysis of the distribution of OM surgeons worldwide. A mixed-methods study was implemented using a combination of literature review, in-country contacts, internet searches, and survey data. The survey was distributed globally from January to June 2022. Data regarding OM surgeon workforce estimates were obtained for 104 of 195 United Nations-recognized countries (53.3%). Among countries with available estimates, the median global workforce density was 0.518 OM surgeons per 100,000 population. Twenty-eight countries (26.9%) were reported to have two or fewer OM surgeons. The median OM surgeon workforce density for low-income countries was 0.015 surgeons per 100,000 population, compared to 1.087 surgeons per 100,000 population in high-income countries. low and middle-income countries countries have the least workforce density as well as the least data coverage. More work is needed to better understand the capacity of the global OM surgeon workforce and access to OMS care.

A Scoping Review on Learning Health Networks Available in Pediatric Surgical Specialties.

BACKGROUND: Learning health networks (LHN) are consortia of institutions that collaborate and embrace the elements of the learning health system (LHS), including quality improvement, education, research, and stakeholder involvement. Their ultimate goal is rapid information dissemination in clinical care. Pediatric surgical specialties perform unique yet high-impact procedures that could benefit from LHN, thereby improving surgical outcomes and care through LHS approaches. Consequently, health system leaders should be aware of LHN and their importance in enhancing surgical care and improving outcomes. This scoping review aims to map and characterize the existing LHN applied in pediatric surgical specialties. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed on Medline, EMBASE, and Scopus up to June 2022, with an update search conducted in May 2023. Additionally, Google Scholar, ProQuest and inquiry from topic experts were used for cross-referencing relevant review articles to identify grey literature. This scoping review was conducted and reported according to the PRISMA-scoping review extension. RESULTS: A total of 56 publications for 19 LHN were identified and included in this scoping review. Out of 19 identified LHN in pediatric surgical specialties, 18 were organized in North America. Eight of the networks are related to pediatric general surgery and another eight were related to pediatric transplantation. The 16 out of 19 LHN were initiated after 2001. To date, only eight of the LHNs generated reports of comparative improved outcomes. CONCLUSION: This scoping review provides an overview of the available LHNs in pediatric surgical specialties. Over the past decade, several pediatric surgical specialties have embraced the principles of learning health systems, forming inter-institutional collaborations that utilize information technology to generate big data on patient-level clinical information, engage in quality improvement cycles, adopt evidence-based practices, and actively involve patients and stakeholders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for an Uncommon Complex Urological Procedure: The Complete Primary Repair of Bladder Exstrophy.

PURPOSE: ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocols are designed to optimize perioperative care and expedite recovery. Historically, complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy has included postoperative recovery in the intensive care unit and extended length of stay. We hypothesized that instituting ERAS principles would benefit children undergoing complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy, decreasing length of stay. We describe implementation of a complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy-ERAS pathway at a single, freestanding children's hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary team developed an ERAS pathway for complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy, which launched in June 2020 and included a new surgical approach that divided the lengthy procedure into 2 consecutive operative days. The complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy-ERAS pathway was continuously refined, and the final pathway went into effect in May 2021. Post-ERAS patient outcomes were compared with a pre-ERAS historical cohort (2013-2020). RESULTS: A total of 30 historical and 10 post-ERAS patients were included. All post-ERAS patients had immediate extubation (P = .04) and 90% received early feeding (P < .001). The median intensive care unit and overall length of stay decreased from 2.5 to 1 days (P = .005) and from 14.5 to 7.5 days (P < .001), respectively. After final pathway implementation, there was no intensive care unit use (n=4). Postoperatively, no ERAS patient required escalation of care, and there was no difference in emergency department visits or readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Applying ERAS principles to complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy was associated with decreased variations in care, improved patient outcomes, and effective resource utilization. Although ERAS has typically been utilized for high-volume procedures, our study highlights that an enhanced recovery pathway is both feasible and adaptable to less common urological surgeries.

Matching into competitive surgical residencies: predictors of success.

Evidence-informed data may help students matching into competitive residency programs guide curricular activities, extracurricular activities, and residency career choices. We aimed to examine the characteristics of students applying to competitive surgical residencies and identify predictors of matching success. We identified the five lowest match rates for the surgical subspecialities listed in the 2020 National Resident Matching Program report to define a surgical residency as competitive. We analyzed a database from 115 United States medical schools regarding application data from 2017 to 2020. Multilevel logistic regression was used to determine predictors of matching. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.A total of 1,448 medical students submitted 25,549 applications. The five most competitive specialties included were plastic surgery (N = 172), otolaryngology (N = 342), neurological surgery (N = 163), vascular surgery (N = 52), orthopedic surgery (N = 679), and thoracic surgery (N = 40). We found that medical students with a geographical connection (adjusted OR, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.41 to 1.93]), and students who did an away rotation at the applied program (adjusted OR, 3.22 [95% CI, 2.75 to 3.78]) had statistically significantly increased odds of matching into a competitive surgical specialty. Furthermore, we found that students with a United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score below 230 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) score below 240 had increased odds of matching if they completed an away rotation at the applied program. Completing an away rotation and geographical connection to the institution may contribute more than academic criteria for selection into a competitive surgical residency after an interview. This finding may be due to less variation in academic criteria among this pool of high-performing medical students. Students with limited resources who apply to a competitive surgical specialty may be at a disadvantage given the financial burden of an away rotation.

"The other side of the table ': Early career gynaecological oncologists' transition from trainee to trainer.

BACKGROUND: The transition to consultant practice represents an important transition from the role of trainee to trainer. We used the theoretical framework of Threshold Concepts to better understand this transition by analysing data from a broader qualitative study examining the experience of early career Certified Gynaecological Oncologists (CGOs) in Australia and New Zealand. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with CGOs of <5 years consultant experience. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, sensitised by the theoretical framework of Threshold Concepts. RESULTS: Seven early career CGOs were interviewed. Analysis resulted in the construction of five main themes related to the trainer role, each demonstrating characteristics of Threshold Concepts: 'Part of becoming and being a consultant'; 'Managing complex work environments and training responsibilities'; 'Optimising near peer relationships'; 'Recency informing evolution of training'; and "'Being responsible and letting go…' - the next transition." DISCUSSION: The themes offer insights into the areas of the transition to trainer that are troublesome, the impact of negotiating these challenges on professional identity formation, and the strategies used by CGOs to negotiate them. Using the lens of Threshold Concepts, these experiences can be normalised, and supported through efforts to facilitate the development of skills in reflection, feedback, coaching and mentorship.

Resident Burnout and Well-being in Otolaryngology and Other Surgical Specialties: Strategies for Change.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a literature review on burnout prevalence, factors that affect burnout and well-being, and solutions to address burnout in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OTO-HNS) residents and residents in other surgical specialties. DATA SOURCES: Ovid Medline, Embase, and article reference lists. REVIEW METHODS: A literature search was performed to identify articles on resident burnout, distress, wellness, well-being, and quality of life. Articles deemed outside the scope of the current work were excluded. Search was limited to the past 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to high burnout has been reported in 35% to 86% of OTO-HNS residents. Among other surgical specialties, resident burnout ranges between 58% and 66% in plastics, 11% and 67% in neurosurgery, 38% and 68% in urology, and 31% and 56% in orthopedics. Highest burnout rates were seen in postgraduate year 2 residents. Factors significantly associated with burnout included hours worked (>80 h/wk), level of autonomy, exercise, and program support. Reported resident work hours have steadily increased: 8% of OTO-HNS residents in 2005 vs 26% in 2019 reported averaging >80 h/wk. Practical implications of resident burnout include decreased empathy, moral distress and injury, poor health, decreased quality of life, increased attrition, decreased desire to pursue fellowship, and increased likelihood of medical errors. Structured mentorship programs, wellness initiatives, and increased ancillary support have been associated with lower burnout rates and improvements in resident well-being across specialties. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Addressing burnout, which is prevalent in OTO-HNS residents, is critical to improving patient care and physician well-being. Surgical specialties can share strategies to effectively address resident burnout through institutional interventions, which can be essential quality improvement initiatives, to promote well-being.

Mohs micrographic surgery for periocular skin cancer: a single-institution experience.

Periocular skin cancers require both effective and tissue-sparing treatment to minimize morbidity and preserve eyelid and lacrimal system function. We aim to define outcomes of periocular tumors treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and factors associated with poor outcomes after surgery. This is a retrospective cohort study of all periocular tumors treated with MMS at an academic, large metropolitan-based referral center from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018. For 316 tumors from 307 patients, 75.3% of cases were basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (n = 238), 20.9% were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n = 66), 2.5% were melanoma (n = 8), and 1.3% were primary adnexal carcinoma (n = 4). Over a mean follow-up of 47 months (range 12-108 months), local recurrence of two BCCs was observed. There were no recurrences for SCC, adnexal carcinoma, or melanoma. For BCC, previously treated tumors had higher risk for recurrence after MMS. AJCC 8 T stage was not associated with poor outcomes after MMS for periocular carcinoma or melanoma. Mohs micrographic surgery offers excellent cure rates for periocular cutaneous tumors. For basal cell carcinoma, previously treated lesions were associated with additional recurrence after MMS.

Approaches to Tumors of the Nail Unit and Genitalia.

The nail unit and genitalia represent rare locations where malignant tumors may arise. Human papillomavirus has emerged as a causative agent of the development of the most common malignancies in these sites. Tissue preservation with surgery is of utmost importance, and tissue-sparing approaches are increasingly emphasized in the dermatology, urology, and gynecology literature. In addition to its tissue-sparing nature, Mohs micrographic surgery allows the complete evaluation of histologic margins to ensure tumor extirpation and may be the ideal treatment modality. The authors herein present approaches for the evaluation and treatment of malignant tumors of the nail unit and genitalia.

Inteligencia artificial en medicina y procedimientos quirúrgicos: impacto en la toma de decisiones y la salud / Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Surgical Procedures: Impact on Decision Making and Health

Introducción: Las revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura constituyen una herramienta metodológica práctica para la búsqueda de información sobre investigaciones clínicas, aplicaciones tecnológicas y la toma de decisiones de impacto en la salud. Objetivo: Describir cómo influye la inteligencia artificial en la toma de decisiones médicas según el grado de concordancia entre estas evidencias y los sistemas expertos aplicados en las especialidades clínicas y quirúrgicas de impacto en la salud, según reportes entre 2010 y 2019. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática con el uso de un modelo de bases de datos relacional y un modelo de entidad relación para garantizar la entidad referencial de la que hacen parte las bases de datos y los artículos, así como la calidad de cada uno de los artículos mediante clasificación por grados de concordancia entre muy concordante o no concordante con la temática de interés y la toma de decisiones de impacto en la salud. Conclusiones: Las aplicaciones como los sistemas expertos, los aprendizajes de máquinas y la robótica aportan innovación a las instituciones y un cambio revolucionario en lo académico, clínico y epidemiológico(AU)

Introduction: Systematic reviews of the literature constitute a practical methodological tool for the search of information on clinical research, technological applications and health impact decision-making. Objectives: To describe how artificial intelligence influences medical decision-making according to the degree of agreement between this evidence and the expert systems applied in clinical and surgical specialties with an impact on health, according to reports from 2010 to 2019. Methods: A systematic review was conducted with the use of a relational database model and a relationship entity model to guarantee the referential entity of which the databases and articles are part, as well as the quality of each of the articles classified by degrees of agreement between very concordant or not concordant with the topic of interest and the decision making of impact on health. Conclusions: Applications such as expert systems, machine learning and robotics bring innovation to institutions and a revolutionary change in academic, clinical and epidemiological areas(AU)

Vivencias y experiencias en las relaciones sociales durante la formación académica de médicos especialistas

Introducción: La formación académica en las especialidades médicas es un proceso continuo de entrenamiento teórico y práctico en el que las y los residentes interactúan constantemente con los coordinadores del programa, con residentes de diferentes programas y las y los trabajadores de los escenarios de prácticas. Se investigó por medio de entrevistas las relaciones que se presentan en diferentes especialidades. Objetivo: Conocer las vivencias y experiencias de la jerarquía de las y los residentes durante su proceso de formación en los escenarios de prácticas. Método: Estudio cualitativo de corte fenomenológico que aplicó entrevistas semi-estructuradas a 42 estudiantes de especialidades médico-quirúrgicas como: cirugía plástica, ginecología, medicina crítica, medicina interna, neurología, pediatría y psiquiatría, revisando de la batería de riesgo psicosocial el dominio de relaciones sociales y liderazgo. Resultados: Las y los entrevistados expresaron 195 referencias relacionadas con sus experiencias en las que el liderazgo de los coordinadores del programa es descrito como una interacción significativa que genera malestar psicológico o protección, junto con 158 referencias de estilo de retroalimentación en algunas vivencias, escaso o centrado en una nota cuantitativa, y 156 referencias de cómo veían la relación con sus residentes mayores desde una perspectiva jerárquica. Conclusiones: Las características de la jerarquía durante la residencia están determinadas por el estilo de liderazgo del coordinador del programa y los residentes replican el mismo modelo con sus compañeros de mismo año, superiores y residentes menores.

Introduction: Academic training in medical specialties is a continuous process of theoretical and practical training where residents constantly interact with program coordinators, residents of different programs and workers in internship scenarios; the relationships that occur in different residences were investigated through interviews. Objective: To know the life experiences of the hierarchy of resident doctors during their training process in the practice settings. Method: Qualitative phenomenological study that uses semi-structured interviews with 42 students of medical-surgical specialties such as: plastic surgery, gynecology, critical medicine, internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics and psychiatry, reviewing the psychosocial risk battery domain of social relations and leadership. Results: The interviewees expressed 195 references related to their experiences where the leadership of the program coordinators is described as a significant interaction generating psychological or protective discomfort, along with 158 references of feedback style in some experiences, scarce or focused on a quantitative note and 156 references of how they saw the relationship with their older residents from a hierarchical perspective. Conclusions: The characteristics of the hierarchy in the residence are determined by the leadership style of the program coordinator and the residents replicate the same model with their peers of the same year, superiors and minor residents.

Investigation of the Gender Distribution of National Institutes of Health Grants Across Six Surgical Specialties From 2015 to 2020: Toward Promoting Equity in Academic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of literature evaluating research-funding differences between male and female surgeons. Our study aims to evaluate possible disparities in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant awards by surgeon gender, type of medical degree (MD/DO), and advanced degrees among six surgery specialties: general surgeons, neurosurgeons, urologists, obstetricians/gynecologists, plastic, and orthopedic surgeons, from 2015 to 2020. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed investigating the number of NIH grants received by male and female surgeon-scientists overall and within each listed specialty, 2015-2020. As a surrogate for grants submitted, the proportion of active surgeon-scientists per specialty was used. A priori level of significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, male surgeons had a higher mean number of NIH grants and higher grant funding than female surgeons (P < 0.001 for both). Type of medical degree (MD/DO) was not significantly associated with NIH funding. An advanced degree was associated with NIH funding among neurosurgeons only (P < 0.05). Differences in the proportion of active surgeon-scientists and proportion of NIH grants received by male and female surgeon-scientists were found only in the fields of orthopedic surgery (5.8% female surgeons and received 20.7% of grants, P = 0.003) and plastic surgery (17.2% female surgeons and received 33.3% of grants, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Male surgeons received most of the total surgical NIH grants. However, funding for female surgeons in orthopedic and plastic surgery outpaces that of their male counterparts when compared to gender proportions in their respective field. Future studies should further investigate the effects of additional applicant demographics on securing NIH grant funding.

Management of temporomandibular disorders: a rapid review of systematic reviews and guidelines.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) impact a significant proportion of the population. Given the range of management strategies, contemporary care should be evidence-informed for different TMD types. A knowledge-to-action rapid review of systematic reviews published in the past 5 years and guidelines published in the past 10 years concerning the management of TMD was conducted. The Cochrane, Embase, MEDLINE, PEDro, and PubMed databases were searched. A qualitative data analysis was undertaken, with quality assessment completed using the AMSTAR 2 checklist. In total, 62 systematic reviews and nine guidelines considering a range of treatment modalities were included. In concordance with current guidelines, moderate evidence supports a multi-modal conservative approach towards initial management. Contrary to existing guidelines, occlusal splint therapy is not recommended due to a lack of supporting evidence. The evidence surrounding oral and topical pharmacotherapeutics for chronic TMD is low, whilst the evidence supporting injected pharmacotherapeutics is low to moderate. In concordance with current guidelines, moderate quality evidence supports the use of arthrocentesis or arthroscopy for arthrogenous TMD insufficiently managed by conservative measures, and open joint surgery for severe arthrogenous disease. Based on this, a management pathway showing escalation of treatment from conservative to invasive is proposed.

Surgical training in ophthalmology: Role of EyeSi in the era of simulation-based learning.

Recent advancements in surgical training methods have escalated the need for simulators. The EyeSi simulation has played a major role in Ophthalmology training by providing opportunity to the novice residents to grasp the surgical steps of the procedure and master the skill by repeated attempts. Participants were assessed on single level of cataract module and their consecutive scores were assessed with each attempt. It was found that repetitive practice on simulator can help develop proficiency in the desired steps that can ultimately prepare the surgical trainees for real life surgery.

Career barriers for women in surgery.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing numbers of female medical students, surgery remains male-dominated. PURPOSE: To highlight the principal career obstacles experienced by aspiring female surgeons. METHODS: A narrative review of literature on the position and career barriers of female surgeons has been conducted, using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. MAIN FINDINGS: Implicit and even explicit biases against female surgeons remain prevalent, negatively impacting their training performance and overall professional trajectory. Female surgeons are globally underrepresented in leadership positions and senior academic rankings, especially that of a full professor. They feel hampered by lack of effective mentorship, whose value for a successful career has been acknowledged by all medical students, surgeons and surgical leaders. Their work-life imbalance is sometimes expressed as lower likelihood than their male contemporaries of getting married or having children and may be attributed to their conventional association with the role of caretaker, their personal desire to accommodate occupational and family duties and the inadequate implementation of parental leave and childcare policies. Female surgeons' "infertility" may be further explained by direct and indirect pregnancy-related difficulties. Female surgeons are also financially undercompensated compared to their male contemporaries. Finally, specialty-specific challenges should not be overlooked. CONCLUSIONS: While encouraging steps have been made, women in surgery feel still hindered by various obstacles. The qualitative, interview-based nature of current literature requires more meticulous studies on these barriers with a more quantitative and objective approach. Attenuation of gender imbalance in surgical specialties requires further changes in mentality and more targeted modifications in relevant policies.