Facilitating a More Diverse Workforce: The Value of Mentorship in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Abstract

Background: Cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) is one of the least diverse surgical specialties in both gender and race. Aside from the inherent benefits of a diverse working environment, mitigating this diversity gap improves patient care. Mentorship is important for creating a diverse, nurturing environment for trainees. This review appraises the impact of formal mentorship for trainees and specifically assesses its significance for underrepresented groups in CTS. Methods: A literature search was performed using keywords relating to CTS, mentorship, and underrepresented groups. Principal findings were extracted and synthesized; supporting literature discussing mentorship in other surgical specialties was also included. Results: Mentorship is desired by CTS residents. Its benefits include aiding the matching process, decreasing stress, and increasing academic productivity. Mentorship programs can be used to increase the recruitment and retention of women and others underrepresented in medicine. Conclusions: Mentorship is a valuable tool for which implementation must be prioritized in CTS; this requires more education on mentorship for trainees. Institutions should be using mentorship programs to diversify trainees in CTS with the objective being equality.