Understanding individual social drivers of health is vital for improving surgical results and addressing healthcare disparities. Among over 297,000 patients, high-risk transportation needs notably increased 30-day readmission rates across all surgical procedures. For elective surgeries, these transportation challenges also correlated with higher mortality rates. Surgeons should consider addressing these social factors during patient selection and […]

Surgeons can confidently wear scrubs or white coats without impacting patient trust. Patients showed no significant difference in trust levels between surgeons in traditional attire (mean score 2.00) and those in scrubs (mean score 2.08). Trust scores were consistent regardless of physician attire across various patient demographics. Surgeons can prioritize comfort and practicality in their […]

Surgeons can improve access safety and efficiency with a novel manometric visualization technique for Veress needle entry. Pneumoperitoneum success rates were 99% across standard-weight patients with no complications in both test groups. The modified manometric technique reduced insufflation time to 1 minute, compared to 2 minutes with traditional methods (p < 0.001). For obese patients, […]

Integrating environmental sustainability into operating room guidelines is feasible and necessary. Surgical practices significantly contribute to healthcare’s environmental impact, driven by disposables, energy use, and anesthetic emissions. A systematic review of 42 studies found the evidence quality was “very low” to “low,” yet consistent environmental threats were identified. Surgical teams should consider actionable sustainability practices […]

Rural patients prioritize access to specialized surgical care within hub-and-spoke cancer networks. 53% of patients prefer a specialist surgeon and are willing to travel for a high-volume team. 39% prefer in-person visits, while 8% want to limit travel for their care. Surgeons should tailor services to align with these patient preferences for better outcomes. Four […]

Surgeons need to know that 39% of countries provide timely access to essential surgery, underscoring a significant global shortfall in surgical care. Only 50.3% of countries meet benchmarks for surgical workforce density. 31.5% of countries report adequate surgical volume, with no country-level benchmarks on perioperative mortality. Integrating standardized surgical metrics into health systems is essential […]

This study assessed shared decision-making among thousands of surgeons, revealing critical insights for improving patient outcomes. Only 1.2% of surgeons achieved top scores in shared decision-making, while 64% of patients felt their surgeons performed adequately. Male surgeons, those in cardiothoracic specialties, and surgeons with over 31 years of practice were linked to lower decision-making scores. […]

This study develops a practical implementation framework for integrating data-driven surgical metrics into training, improving assessment reliability and trainee outcomes. Engaged 54 trainees and trainers from 13 countries through workshops to inform framework development. Prioritized real-time feedback for technical skills and dashboards for non-technical skills to provide objective performance insights. Making surgical training more data-driven […]

Surgeons play a crucial role in tackling persistent cancer care disparities among marginalized populations. Marginalized groups experience higher cancer risks but often miss essential screenings and guidelines. Continued efforts are necessary to identify root causes and craft targeted interventions. Implementing these strategies can lead to more equitable oncologic outcomes for all patients. Collaboration with multidisciplinary […]

Productivity-focused models (WRVU and fee-for-service) incentivize higher volume but overlook case complexity and outcomes. Hybrid models blend base salary with incentives for quality and academic contributions, offering flexibility but requiring more management. Value-based models are underused and may have unintended consequences. Surgeons must be aware of these models to optimize practice, support broader responsibilities, and […]