The Diversity of Surgical Trainees Index identifies racial and ethnic disparities among surgical specialties.

OBJECTIVE: Racial and ethnic disparities have been well-described among surgical specialties; however, variations in underrepresented in medicine (URiM) representation between these specialties have not previously been quantified. METHODS: Data collected from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) annual reports were used to derive the Diversity of Surgical Trainee Index (DoSTI), which was calculated as the proportion of URiM residents and fellow physicians within a given surgical specialty, relative to the overall proportion of URiM trainees within all surgical and non-surgical ACGME-accredited programs in the same academic year. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2022, a total of 108,193 ACGME-accredited residency programs trained 1,296,204 residents and fellows in the United States. Of these, 14.1% (n = 182,680) of trainees self-identified as URiM over the study period. The mean DoSTI among all surgical specialties was 0.80 (standard error, 0.01) compared with all ACGME-accredited programs. High DoSTI specialties incorporated significantly higher proportions of trainees who identify as Hispanic (8.7% vs 6.3%) and Black or African American (5.2% vs 2.5%) when compared with low DoSTI specialties (P < .0001 each). General surgery (1.06 ± 0.01), plastic surgery (traditional) (1.12 ± 0.06), vascular surgery (integrated) (0.96 ± 0.03), and vascular surgery (traditional) (0.94 ± 0.06) had the highest DoSTI (P < .05 each vs composite). On linear regression analysis, only ophthalmology (+0.01/year; R2 = 0.41; P = .019), orthopedic surgery (+0.01/year; R2 = 0.33; P = .047), otolaryngology (+0.02/year; R2 = 0.86; P < .001), and pediatric surgery (+0.06/year; R2 = 0.33; P = .048) demonstrated an annual increase in DoSTI. CONCLUSIONS: The DoSTI is a novel metric used to quantify the degree of URiM representation among surgical specialties. DoSTI has revealed specialty-specific variations in racial/ethnic minority representation among surgical training programs. This metric may be used to improve provider awareness and identify high performing DoSTI specialties to highlight best practices to ultimately recruit a more diverse surgical workforce.

Concerning Trends in Vascular Surgery Trainee Operative Experience in Venous Disease.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive vascular care includes both arterial and venous disease management. However, operative training in venous disease is often significantly overshadowed by arterial procedures, despite the public health burden of acute and chronic venous disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the case-mix and volume of venous procedures performed by graduating integrated vascular surgery residents and fellows in the United States. METHODS: Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education national operative log reports were compiled for graduating integrated VSR (vascular surgery residency) and traditional vascular surgery fellowship (VSF) trainees from academic years 2013 to 2022. Only cases categorized as "surgeon fellow", "surgeon chief", or "surgeon junior" were included. Linear regression analysis was utilized to evaluate trends in case-mix and volume. RESULTS: Over the 10-year study period, total vascular cases increased for both VSR (mean 870.5 ± 9.3 cases, annual change +9.5 cases/year, R2 = 0.77, P < 0.001) and VSF (mean 682.1 ± 6.9 cases, annual change +6.7 cases/year, R2 = 0.85, P < 0.001) trainees. Concurrently, the proportion of venous cases in the VSR group decreased from 12.5% to 7.3% (annual change -3.7 cases/year, R2 = 0.72, P < 0.001). VSR trainees experienced an annual decrease in 4 of the top 5 venous case types performed, including venous angioplasty/stenting (-1.6 cases/year, P = 0.002), vena cava filter placement (-0.9 cases/year, P = 0.002), endoluminal ablation (-0.2 cases/year, P = 0.47), diagnostic venography (-1.7 cases/year, P < 0.001), and varicose vein treatment (-1.0 cases/year, P < 0.001). Venous cases proportions also decreased in the VSF group from 8.4% to 6.2% (annual change -2.2 cases/year, R2 = 0.54, P = 0.002). VSF trainees experienced an annual decrease in 4 of the top 5 venous case types, including venous angioplasty/stenting (-1.5 cases/year, P = 0.003), diagnostic venography (-1.2 cases/year, P < 0.001), vena cava filter placement (-0.2 cases/year, P = 0.44), endoluminal ablation (-0.6 cases/year, P < 0.001), and varicose vein treatment (-0.1 cases/year, P = 0.04). Both VSR and VSF trainee groups graduated with fewer than 5 cases for each of the following venous procedures-percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, venous thrombolysis, open venous reconstruction, sclerotherapy, venous embolectomy, portal-systemic shunting, venous ulceration treatment, and arteriovenous malformation treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Current vascular residents and fellows have limited exposure to venous procedures, in part due to a proportional decline in venous cases. More robust venous operative experience is needed during surgical training. Further studies are needed to understand whether this discrepancy in venous and arterial training impacts career progression and patient outcomes.

The Role of the Microenvironment in Controlling the Fate of Bioprinted Stem Cells.

The field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has made numerous advances in recent years in the arena of fabricating multifunctional, three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs. This can be attributed to novel approaches in the bioprinting of stem cells. There are expansive options in bioprinting technology that have become more refined and specialized over the years, and stem cells address many limitations in cell source, expansion, and development of bioengineered tissue constructs. While bioprinted stem cells present an opportunity to replicate physiological microenvironments with precision, the future of this practice relies heavily on the optimization of the cellular microenvironment. To fabricate tissue constructs that are useful in replicating physiological conditions in laboratory settings, or in preparation for transplantation to a living host, the microenvironment must mimic conditions that allow bioprinted stem cells to proliferate, differentiate, and migrate. The advances of bioprinting stem cells and directing cell fate have the potential to provide feasible and translatable approach to creating complex tissues and organs. This review will examine the methods through which bioprinted stem cells are differentiated into desired cell lineages through biochemical, biological, and biomechanical techniques.

Sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression: From current state to solutions for the support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning patients and colleagues.

Many of the systemic practices in medicine that have alienated lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) individuals persist today, undermining the optimal care for these patients and isolating LGBTQ medical providers from their colleagues. The 2020 Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report recently published by the Society for Vascular Surgery marked the first publication advocating for the inclusion of sexual orientation and sexual identity in the development of initiatives promoting and protecting diversity across vascular surgery. Vascular providers should be aware that it is crucial to cultivate an environment that is inclusive for LGBTQ patients because a large proportion of these patients have reported not self-disclosing their status to medical providers, either out of concern over potential personal repercussions or failing to recognize the potential relevance of LGBTQ status to their medical care. Safe Zone training has provided a standard resource for providers and staff that can be integrated into onboarding and routine training. Clarifying the current terminology for sexual orientation and identity will ensure that vascular providers will recognize patients who could benefit from screening for additional vascular risk factors relevant to this population related to sexual health, social behavior, physical health, and medical therapies. The adoption of gender neutral language on intake forms and general correspondence with colleagues is key to reducing the unintended exclusion of those with LGBTQ identities in both inpatient and outpatient environments. In many locales across the United States, the professional and personal repercussions for openly reporting LGBTQ status persist, complicating efforts toward quantifying, recognizing, and supporting these patients, practitioners, and trainees. Contributing to an inclusive environment for patients and peers and acting as a professional ally are congruent with the ethos in vascular surgery to treat all patients and colleagues with respect and optimize the healthcare of every vascular patient.

US Healthcare Experiences of Hispanic Patients with Diabetes and Family Members: A Qualitative Analysis.

Hispanics in the United States experience significant health disparities. Using focus groups conducted in Spanish, we explored the perspectives of 172 Hispanic adults regarding their healthcare experiences. Many participants were women (64.5%) and primarily from Mexico (80%). Four major qualitative themes emerged: (a) provide us with information, (b) want attentive and respectful relationships, (c) want better care, and (d) perceived discrimination. Suboptimal patient-provider interactions were described. Research is needed to explore interventions that address these issues. Incorporating person-centered care principles and practices such as clear and understandable communication, culturally competent care, and customer service skills may benefit provider interactions with Hispanics.