A Novel Individual Mentored Methodology to Peer Review for Residents/Fellows

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Scientific Publishing
• Surgical Training

Background:

• Peer review is crucial for scientific publication.
• Traditional peer review can be improved through mentorship.
• The Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons (SLRS) recognized a need for enhanced peer review training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a mentored peer review program.
• To identify benefits for both mentors and mentees in the peer review process.
• To foster critical analysis and scientific discourse in surgical literature.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a structured mentoring program for article peer review by the SLRS since 2014.
• Facilitation of actively debated discourse between mentors and mentees.
• Focus on constructive criticism regarding article hypothesis, conclusions, and publication suitability.

Main Results:

• Mentored peer review instills essential skills and eliminates bad practices.
• Participants gain exposure to diverse peer review techniques and evaluation criteria.
• The process enhances critical thinking, reassessment of ideas, and understanding of scientific merit.

Conclusions:

• Mentored peer review is a beneficial activity for all participants.
• This method strengthens the evaluation of scientific articles for publication.
• Continuous learning and reinforcement of scientific knowledge are promoted through this interactive approach.