Workplace bullying and sexual harassment among general surgery residents in Colombia / Acoso laboral y sexual en residentes de cirugía general en Colombia

Introduction. Workplace bullying and sexual harassment are concerns among general surgery residents in Colombia. Objective. To explore the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying and sexual harassment incidents among general surgery residents in Colombia. Materials and methods. This nationwide study was conducted in 2020. Residents selfrated their exposure to workplace bullying and to sexual harassment in the forms of gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, and sexual coercion. We analyzed demographic variables, perpetrator's characteristics, and differences between victims and non-victims. Results. The study included 302 residents. It found that 49% of general surgery residents in Colombia suffered from workplace bullying and 14.9% experienced sexual harassment. The main forms of sexual harassment were gender harassment (47%) and unwanted sexual attention (47%). Women reported significantly higher rates of being sexually harassed. Surgeons were the main perpetrators of sexual harassment. Conclusions. Workplace bullying and sexual harassment are frequent events in general surgery residency in Colombia. These findings suggest the need for interventions to improve the educational culture of surgical departments and decrease the prevalence of these behaviors.

Introducción. El acoso laboral y el acoso sexual son preocupaciones en la formación quirúrgica. Objetivo. Exploramos la magnitud de estos problemas entre los residentes de cirugía general en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio nacional en junio de 2020. Los residentes autoevaluaron su exposición a la intimidación y el acoso sexual en forma de acoso de género, atención sexual no deseada y coerción sexual. Se analizaron variables demográficas y perpetradores entre víctimas y no víctimas. Resultados. Se incluyeron un total de 302 residentes. Las tasas de acoso laboral y sexual fueron del 49% y 14,9%, respectivamente. Las principales formas de acoso sexual correspondieron al acoso de género (47%) y la atención sexual no deseada (47%). El acoso sexual fue significativamente mayor entre las mujeres. Los cirujanos fueron los principales perpetradores. Conclusiones. El acoso laboral y el acoso sexual son frecuentes en la formación quirúrgica en Colombia. Estos hallazgos conducen a intervenciones para mejorar la cultura educativa de los departamentos quirúrgicos para disminuir la prevalencia de estos comportamientos.

Surgical research in Colombia part 3: Authorship and publications of Colombian medical students in surgery in Colombian medical journals-cross-sectional study.

Research training, scientific activity and publications are cornerstones of academic surgery. Knowing the activity and trends of medical students aspiring to become surgeons it allows to identify gaps and skills to be strengthened. Currently, there is no data on the authorship and scientific activity of medical students in surgery in Latin America and Colombia. Methods: A bibliometric cross-sectional study was carried out, in which the Colombian medical journals were reviewed from 2010 to 2020. The articles with topics in general surgery and subspecialties where the authorship of medical students could be identified, were selected. Data on the sociodemographic and scientific characteristics of the authors and their publications were extracted and analyzed. Results: A total of 14 383 articles from 34 Colombian medical journals were reviewed. From 2010 to 2020, 807 articles related to surgery were published in Colombia. The most frequent typology of these articles was original articles (n=298; 37%), followed by case reports (n=222; 28.2%) and reviews (n=137; 17.3%). A total of 132 medical students and 141 authorships and were found, specifically in 9.9% (n=80/807) of these publications, with a higher frequency in original articles (n=32; 40%) and case reports (n=29; 36.2%). Collaboration of students with professors or surgeons was evidenced in 97.5% of the publications. Conclusions: The authorship of Colombian medical students in scientific publications in surgery in Colombian medical journals was low. From 2010 to 2020, student authors were found in 1 out of every 10 publications, mainly in original articles and clinical cases.

Mentoring: what to expect from our surgical mentors in Colombia? A Latin American example.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying the scope of surgical mentoring at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and compare the perceptions of teachers and students to recognize characteristics and competences of such practice and future needs. METHOD: Two surveys were designed to evaluate the existence and importance of mentoring and inquire about the characteristics, qualities and skills expected on mentors. RESULTS: Both groups agree on the importance of having a mentor. 84.2% of teachers consider themselves mentors, however, only 38.6% of students considered them as such. The most relevant quality of the mentor recognized by students was the willingness and ability to teach, while for teachers it was respect. For the students, the most important competence was the ability to explain and teach about the procedures to be performed, while for teachers it was the ability to provide confidence and security. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paradoxical behavior, most students consider they do not have a mentor while most teachers consider to be such. The need to expand the literature regarding mentoring in Colombia specifically in the surgical field was identified.

OBJETIVO: Identificar el alcance del mentoring quirúrgico en la Facultad de Medicina de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana y comparar las percepciones de docentes y estudiantes, con el fin de reconocer características y competencias de dicha práctica y necesidades a futuro. MÉTODO: Se diseñaron dos encuestas para evaluar la existencia y la importancia del proceso de mentoring e indagar acerca de las características, las cualidades y las competencias esperadas de los mentores. RESULTADOS: Ambos grupos coinciden en la importancia de contar con un mentor. El 84.2% de los docentes consideran ser mentores, pero solo el 38.6% de los estudiantes los consideraron a ellos como tales. Las cualidad más relevantes del mentor reconocidas por los estudiantes fueron la disposición y la habilidad para enseñar, mientras que para los docentes fue el respeto. Para los estudiantes, la competencia más importante fue la capacidad de explicar y enseñar sobre los procedimientos a realizar, mientras que para los docentes fue la capacidad de brindar confianza y seguridad. CONCLUSIONES: Existe un comportamiento paradójico, pues los estudiantes no consideraron contar con un mentor mientras que los docentes sí estimaron serlo. Se identificó la necesidad de ampliar la literatura respecto al mentoring en Colombia, específicamente en el ámbito quirúrgico.

Surgical research in Colombia part 2: Scientific production of Colombian academic surgeons.

Introduction: The production of quality surgical evidence and the development of academic surgery have emerged as priorities for the solution of current barriers to achieving the objectives of global surgery. The academic training and scientific production of academic surgeons is essential for the production of new knowledge. In Latin America, specifically in Colombia, there are no studies that have analyzed this production. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional bibliometric study was carried out, in which the Colombian Ministry of Science database was consulted with the validated results up to July 2021. In the search section for research profiles, the key word "Surgery" was used, and all associated CvLAC (profiles where the information of Colombian researchers can be found) and their registered products were reviewed. Results: A total of 1701 researchers in surgery were registered in the database of the Colombian Ministry of Science, of which only 380 corresponded to academic surgeons with correct registration. Only 6 (1.6%) were found to have a Ph.D., 45 (11.8%) a fellow, and 20 (5.3%) a master's degree. 79.5% (n = 302) of Colombian academic surgeons are men. Only 10.2% (n = 39) are formally categorized as researchers. 45.3% (n = 172) have not published scientific articles. The total number of published articles was 2386, and most of them were published in Q4 journals (n = 1121; 47%) or not indexed by SJR/Publindex (n = 517; 21.6%). Only 3 surgeons have more than 100 articles. 9.5% have published at least 1 book, and 40% have participated in at least 1 project. Conclusions: According to data registered with the Colombian Ministry of Science, a large part of the scientific production of Colombian academic surgeons is concentrated in scientific articles, most of which are found in Q4 or non-categorized journals. Approximately half of the academic surgeons have not published at least one scientific article. However, one fifth of those who have, have published at least 8 articles. Less than 20% of surgeons have additional postgraduate studies, and only 1 in 4 academic surgeons is a woman.

Surgical research in Colombia part 1: Scientific and academic productivity of the Colombian research groups in surgery.

Introduction: Global surgery has become the undisputed starting point for addressing a myriad of problems in surgery today. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly evaluate the scientific productivity in surgery, its behavior, validity and impact. In Latin America, specifically in Colombia, there are no studies that have analyzed this production. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional bibliometric study was carried out, in which the Colombian Ministry of Science database was consulted with the validated results up to July 2021. In the search section for research groups, the key word "Surgery" was used, and all associated GrupLAC (platform where the information of the research groups can be found) and their registered products were reviewed. Results: 40 groups were included. Only 5 (12.5%) were registered in surgery as main line of research. The great majority of the groups were in the medium-low category, 50% in category C and 22.5% in category B. The vast majority of surgical groups are located in Bogotá (19; 47.5%). The first surgery group in the country was created in 1994 and the last one in 2017. In 27 years of surgical research, a total of 4121 registered scientific articles were found, 83 books, 713 book chapters, 2891 products associated with participation in scientific events, 1221 theses directed, and 1670 projects in colombian surgical research groups. There was evidence of a high rate of underreporting of data, due to duplication of products and incomplete registration of data. Conclusions: There is a high rate of underreporting of products and data in the GrupLAC of Colombian surgical research groups. Most of the production is located in the Andes region (Antioquia, Valle del Cauca and Bogotá), and is predominantly composed of scientific articles and products associated with participation in scientific events.

Fundamentos para un currículo nacional en Cirugía General basado en competencia: Consenso Delphi de la División de Educación de la Asociación Colombiana de Cirugía / Foundations for a national competence-based curriculum in General Surgery: Delphi Consensus of the Division of Education of the Colombian Association of Surgery

Frente a los desafíos de la Educación Basada en Competencia, este consenso Delphi de la División de Educación de la Asociación Colombiana de Cirugía informa sobre las mínimas competencias profesionales esperadas del cirujano egresado de los veinte programas de Especialización en Cirugía General en Colombia. Un total de 105 profesores de los programas de especialización evaluaron tres áreas de competencia profesional: 1) atributos profesionales generales del residente durante su formación, 2) competencias prácticas (procedimientos quirúrgicos) que los residentes deben realizar al final de su entrenamiento y 3) Actividades Profesionales Confiables (APC) que los residentes deben ejecutar sin supervisión al final de su entrenamiento. Los resultados informan un alto nivel de consenso en el 100 % los atributos profesionales generales y APC, y del 75 % en diferentes procedimientos quirúrgicos. El consenso abre la puerta para el desarrollo de un currículo nacional de la especialidad y tiene implicaciones para la práctica educativa e investigación futura

Faced with the challenges of Competence-Based Education, this Delphi consensus from the Education Division of the Colombian Association of Surgery reports on the minimum professional competencies expected of the surgeon who graduated from the twenty residency programs in General Surgery in Colombia. A total of 105 professors from the training programs evaluated three areas of professional competence: 1) general professional attributes of the resident during their training, 2) practical skills (surgical procedures) that residents must perform at the end of their training, and 3) Activities Trusted Professionals (APC) that residents must run unsupervised at the end of their training. The results report a high level of consensus in 100% general professional attributes and APC, and 75% in different surgical procedures. The consensus opens the door for the development of a national specialty curriculum and has implications for educational practice and future research

Fundamentos para un currículo nacional en Cirugía General basado en competencia: Consenso Delphi de la División de Educación de la Asociación Colombiana de Cirugía / Foundations for a national competence-based curriculum in General Surgery: Delphi Consensus of the Division of Education of the Colombian Association of Surgery

Frente a los desafíos de la Educación Basada en Competencia, este consenso Delphi de la División de Educación de la Asociación Colombiana de Cirugía informa sobre las mínimas competencias profesionales esperadas del cirujano egresado de los veinte programas de Especialización en Cirugía General en Colombia. Un total de 105 profesores de los programas de especialización evaluaron tres áreas de competencia profesional: 1) atributos profesionales generales del residente durante su formación, 2) competencias prácticas (procedimientos quirúrgicos) que los residentes deben realizar al final de su entrenamiento y 3) Actividades Profesionales Confiables (APC) que los residentes deben ejecutar sin supervisión al final de su entrenamiento. Los resultados informan un alto nivel de consenso en el 100 % los atributos profesionales generales y APC, y del 75 % en diferentes procedimientos quirúrgicos. El consenso abre la puerta para el desarrollo de un currículo nacional de la especialidad y tiene implicaciones para la práctica educativa e investigación futura

Faced with the challenges of Competence-Based Education, this Delphi consensus from the Education Division of the Colombian Association of Surgery reports on the minimum professional competencies expected of the surgeon who graduated from the twenty residency programs in General Surgery in Colombia. A total of 105 professors from the training programs evaluated three areas of professional competence: 1) general professional attributes of the resident during their training, 2) practical skills (surgical procedures) that residents must perform at the end of their training, and 3) Activities Trusted Professionals (APC) that residents must run unsupervised at the end of their training. The results report a high level of consensus in 100% general professional attributes and APC, and 75% in different surgical procedures. The consensus opens the door for the development of a national specialty curriculum and has implications for educational practice and future research

Experiencia operatoria de los residentes de cirugía general: Resultados de un estudio transversal multinstitucional en Colombia / Operative experience of general surgery residents: Results of a cross-sectional multinstitutional study in Colombia

Introducción. Una parte fundamental del entrenamiento de un residente de cirugía es lograr un volumen operatorio suficiente para alcanzar una competencia adecuada en su vida laboral independiente. Tanto el volumen como la autonomía, son desafíos para los programas de residencia en cirugía general de Colombia. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio multinstitucional, con la participación de 5 programas de especialización en cirugía general, de diferentes regiones del país. Se utilizó la bitácora electrónica Logbook para el registro de procedimientos durante un periodo de 12 meses. Se hizo un análisis de la base de datos recolectada. Resultados. Un total de 111 médicos residentes participaron en el estudio. Se registraron 29.622 procedimientos quirúrgicos, que correspondieron a 23.206 pacientes. El 51,7 % de los procedimientos fueron cirugías electivas, el 46,9 % cirugías de urgencia y el 1 % de emergencia. El 22,6 % de los procedimientos se realizó a través de un abordaje mínimamente invasivo. Los cinco procedimientos quirúrgicos más frecuentemente registrados fueron: colecistectomía (n=4341), apendicectomía (n=2558), herniorrafia inguinal (n=2059), herniorrafia umbilical (n=1225) y lavado peritoneal (n=1198). En promedio, cada residente realizó 27 cirugías por mes y en estos procedimientos el rol predominante del residente fue el de cirujano principal, desde momentos tempranos en su formación (a partir del segundo año). Discusión. Es posible lograr a nivel nacional el registro de las actividades a través de una bitácora. Los médicos residentes colombianos realizan un número de cirugías similares o mayores a lo descrito en otros países. Debemos actualizar nuestras expectativas según la formación que reciben actualmente los médicos residentes

Introduction. A critical part of training for a surgical resident is achieving sufficient operating volume to achieve adequate competence in their independent practice. Both volume and autonomy are challenges for general surgery residency programs in Colombia. Methods.A multinstitutional study was performed, with the participation of 5 specialization programs in general surgery, from different regions of the country. The electronic Logbook was used to record procedures for a period of 12 months. An analysis of the collected database was made. Results. A total of 111 resident physicians participated in the study. There were 29,622 surgical procedures registered, corresponding to 23,206 patients. Overall, 51.7% of the procedures were elective surgeries, 46.9% were urgent surgeries and 1% were emergency surgeries. 22.6% of the procedures were performed through a minimally invasive approach. The five most frequently recorded surgical procedures were: cholecystectomy (n=4341), appendectomy (n=2558), inguinal herniorrhaphy (n=2059), umbilical herniorrhaphy (n=1225), and peritoneal lavage (n=1198). On average, each resident performed 27 surgeries per month, and in these procedures the predominant role of the resident was that of the main surgeon, from early in their training (from the second year on). Discussion. It is possible to achieve a national record of activities through a log. Colombian resident physicians perform a number of surgeries similar or greater than those described in other countries. We must update our expectations based on the training currently received by resident physicians.

Uso de la mamografía de tamizaje en las pacientes con diagnóstico con cáncer de seno en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Centro Javeriano de Oncología / Use of screening mammograms in patients diagnosed with breast cancer at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Centro Javeriano de Oncología

Introducción. Actualmente el cáncer de seno ha logrado trascender en la salud de las mujeres colombianas, por ser una enfermedad con alta mortalidad. Hoy por hoy, se ofrece tamizaje de oportunidad con mamografía para mujeres mayores de 50 años, pero aún es escasa la información sobre cómo se están detectando los nuevos casos en Colombia. Objetivo. Determinar el uso de la mamografía de tamizaje en mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de seno que acudieron a su primera consulta con el especialista en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio de Bogotá, Colombia, entre el 2004 y 2007. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional descriptivo, retrospectivo, de 232 nuevos casos de cáncer de seno, de los cuales se recolectaron los siguientes datos: edad en el momento del diagnóstico, motivo de consulta, tiempo de evolución de la sintomatología, tamaño del tumor al examen físico, adenopatías, tipo histológico y estadio clínico. Para el análisis de inferencias, se aplicaron las pruebas t de student y ×2 al cuadrado, según fuera apropiado, estableciendo como significativo un valor p menor de 0.05. Resultados. En nuestra población, sólo 18,1% de las pacientes fueron remitidas por hallazgos anormales en mamografías de tamizaje; la mayoría consultó por síntomas mamarios asociados a estadios más avanzados de la enfermedad. Aquellas que consultaron por masa, en comparación con las que lo hicieron por anormalidades en la mamografía de tamizaje, tuvieron tumores más grandes (5,1 cm versus 3,3 cm p<0,05), con mayor compromiso linfático (46,1% versus 14,3%, p<0,05) y tendencia hacia estadios localmente avanzados (estadio III, 43,3% versus 9,5%, p<0.05). Las mujeres mayores de 50 años tuvieron poco uso de la mamografía de tamizaje (24,7%) y se demoraron dos veces más tiempo en consultar que las menores de 50 años (p<0,05)...

Introduction: Breast cancer has currently become a health issue amongst Colombian women due its high mortality rate. Nowadays opportunity screening is offered with mammograms for women over 50, nonetheless little information is available on how new cases are being detected in Colombia. Objective: Determine the use of screening mammograms in women with breast cancer who had an initial consultation with breast surgeons at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia, between 2004 and 2007. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive observational study of 232 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases was carried out in which the following data were collected: age at time of diagnosis, chief complaint, duration of symptoms, tumor size on clinical breast examination, lymph nodes, histological type, and clinical stage. For inferential analysis student´s T and chi square test were used. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: In this population, only 18.1% of the patients were referred due to abnormal findings on screening mammograms, while the vast majority had breast symptoms as a consequence of advanced disease. Those who had lumps, in comparison to asymptomatic patients, had larger tumors (5.1 cm versus 3.3 cm, p<0.05), larger lymph node involvement (46.1% versus 14.3%, p<0.05), and had a stronger tendency of locally advanced disease (stage III 43.3% versus 9.5%, p<0.05). Women over 50 had a low use of screening mammograms (24.7%) and waited twice as much before having an appointment with a specialist, when compared to those less than 50 (p<0.05). Conclusions: The majority of breast cancer cases were symptomatic, and early detection was small in this population; as a consequence, advanced disease was diagnosed in a larger proportion. These results contribute to support the growing need to develop strategies to teach women and health professionals about the benefits of mammograms, breast self exam, and clinical breast exam as tools for early detection.

Estudio de factores genéticos para cáncer de mama en Colombia / Breast cancer risk factors in Colombia

El cáncer de mama es uno de los principales problemas de salud y, aproximadamente, 10% de los casos son de origen genético. En un estudio previo realizado por nosotros, se encontraron mutaciones fundadoras en los genes BRCA1 y BRCA2; esto permite trazar estrategias de detección temprana para personas con alta susceptibilidad en Colombia e implementar medidas profilácticas. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar el componente genético del cáncer de mama en Colombia, mediante el estudio de la frecuencia y penetrancia de las mutaciones germinales en BRCA1 y BRCA2. Se estudiaron 766 pacientes que cumplieron el criterio de habérseles diagnosticado cáncer de mama después de 2004 y se realizaron estudios moleculares para las mutaciones fundadoras. Se entregaron los resultados a las pacientes y se analizaron los datos para frecuencia y penetrancia. La frecuencia total para mutaciones fundadoras para BRCA1 y BRCA2 fue de 4,2% (IC95% 2,9-5,8), y la penetrancia a los 50 años fue de 33,3 (IC95% 15,2-63,1) para BRCA1 y de 32 (IC95%11,8-70,9) para BRCA2 La alta frecuencia de mutaciones justifica la necesidad de ofrecer este tipo de examen a mujeres con cáncer de mama, independientemente de los antecedentes.Es necesario ampliar los estudios para realizar cálculos de penetrancia a los 70 años...

Breast cancer is one of the main public health problems, approximately 10% are genetic. In a previous study carried out by our group, founder mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were detected; this will allow early testing and detection of patients with high breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility in Colombia, and to implement prophylactic strategies. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic component of breast cancer in Colombia, testing for the frequency and penetrance of germinal mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. 766 patients fulfilling the criteria of breast cancer diagnosis after 2004 were studied for founder mutations. The results were reported to the patients; frequency and penetrance were tested. Total frequency for founder mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 was 4.2% (CI 95%: 2.9-5.8), and penetrance at 50 years was 33, 3(CI 95%: 15.2 - 63.1) for BRCA1 and 32(CI 95%:11.8 - 70.9) for BRCA2. The high frequency of the mutations supports the need to implement genetic testing policy for patients with breast cancer independently of family history or age. It is necessary to continue the study to perform penetrance testing at the 70 year limit...

Implantes de carcinoma canalicular infiltrante en trayecto de biopsia estereotáctica con mamótomo / Implants in Infiltrating Canaliculate Carcinoma in the Trajectory of a Stereotatic Biopsy with Mammotome

La biopsia estereotáctica con mamótomo constituye una de las herramientas diagnósticas empleadas en la evaluación de las lesiones no palpables de la glándula mamaria. Se ha reportado como problema potencial el implante de células tumorales en el trayecto de la aguja, complicación descrita para otros tumores, pero con incidencia desconocida en el caso del cáncer de seno. A continuación se presenta un reporte de caso de implantes tumorales documentados en el trayecto de la aguja de biopsia y una revisión de la literatura.

Mastectomia con preservación de piel / Mastectomy with preservation of skin

La técnica de mastectomía con preservación de piel se ha convertido en el procedimiento de elección para pacientes con diagnostico de cáncer de seno temprano, permitiendo minimizar el sacrificio de piel no comprometida por tumor con lo cual se obtienen resultados estéticos muy favorables al facilitar la reconstrucción inmediata del seno.Es un procedimiento oncológicamente seguro que no aumenta los riesgos de recurrencia loco-regional ni interfiere con la terapia adyuvante postoperatoria (radiación o quimioterapia)...