A Scoping Review unpacked the underexplored realm of Second Victim Syndrome (SVS) in surgeons. SVS, affecting 50% of healthcare providers, often leads to enduring emotional turmoil, impacting personal lives and professional practices. The review emphasized that surgeons, due to their high-stress profession, also grapple with SVS. The study examined SVS’s prevalence, its psychological, physical, and […]

A study involving 20 institutions and over 1,300 general surgery residents found that those with the lowest logged case volume were more likely to be female, identify as underrepresented in medicine, and pursue fellowships. Additionally, they were more likely to have graduated from low-volume programs and institutions with lower National Institutes of Health funding. Understanding […]

A comprehensive study involving over a million operations performed by 14,399 surgeons reveals a concerning trend: early career surgeons, especially those in their first year of practice, have higher mortality and severe complication rates compared to their peers in their 15th year of practice. This research underscores the need for additional support and training for […]

In resource-challenged areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, a shortage of surgeons limits access to vital surgical care. To address this, a systematic review explored surgical task shifting and task sharing where non-surgeon clinicians (NSCs) perform specific surgical procedures. The study analyzed 31 relevant studies and found that NSCs are increasingly involved in surgeries such as hernia […]

A surgical mentorship program for medical students aimed to foster career development and networking. The study engaged 43 mentees and 21 mentors, finding that both groups highly valued effective communication. While post-program surveys showed improved communication and meaningful connections, some mentees critiqued mentor communication, and mentors highlighted student initiative. This pilot program demonstrated the potential […]

In response to evolving medical education needs, the role of Vice Chair of Education (VCE) in a Department of Surgery (DoS) is emerging. However, this role’s specifics aren’t well-defined. This study engaged 13 faculty members and 13 VCEs to explore this novel position. Stakeholders welcomed the VCE role, albeit with some questions about its impact. […]

The 2023 AABB International Guidelines on red blood cell transfusion are here. They provide recommendations for adults and children based on extensive research. For adults, the guidelines suggest a restrictive transfusion strategy with a hemoglobin concentration less than 7 g/dl for stable patients, which was found to be safe. For children, similar strategies are recommended, […]

In a survey involving 440 surgeons and anesthesiologists, 55.2% of participants reported experiences of gender bias. Women faculty members, in particular, expressed the need to continually prove themselves, experienced less respect, had fewer opportunities and resources, faced more assumptions about their abilities, and felt the necessity to adjust their demeanor to connect with their teams, […]

Postoperative complications can lead to death, but what predicts this failure to rescue, especially after respiratory failure? In a study involving 13,047 adult patients, researchers pinpointed eight key predictors. These include age, sex, preoperative health status, conditions like ascites and cancer, and preoperative biochemical markers. Disturbingly, nearly 30% of patients with postoperative respiratory failure didn’t […]

This study reveals a stark lack of diversity among academic surgical leaders in the United States. Although the medical community recognizes the importance of diversity, surgical department chairs, vice chairs, and division chiefs remain predominantly male and underrepresented by racial and ethnic minorities. Notably, leadership roles associated with diversity and faculty development show greater female […]