Mentorship of Women in Surgical Specialties: A Systematic Scoping Review

Description

Rationale:

Despite the growing number of female-identifying trainees entering medical school, significant gender disparities persist in surgical specialties, with women remaining underrepresented at all career stages. Women not only face increased barriers to career advancement, but also face inequality in pay and decreased surgical autonomy during training. A minority of surgical leadership positions are occupied by women, with women comprising only 7.5% of surgery chair positions across all U.S. allopathic medical schools. The reasons for such disparities are multifactorial, but a number of studies have identified barriers including gender bias, work-life integration challenges, lack of same-gender role models, and limited access to sponsorship opportunities. Of such factors, mentorship has been identified as a critical factor influencing career satisfaction, academic and research productivity, and career advancement in surgical fields.

Evidence regarding effective mentorship models, barriers to mentorship access, and the impact of mentorship interventions for women in surgery remain fragmented across multiple disciplines and databases. We aim to conduct a systematic scoping review to map the existing literature, identify knowledge gaps, and synthesize the current understanding of mentorship experiences, structures, and outcomes specific to women in surgical specialties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive foundation to inform the development of targeted mentorship programs and institutional policies aimed at supporting women in surgery.

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