The surgeon- rationalist - change agent: Stepping into our calling

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Health Equity
• Surgical Outcomes Research

Background:

• Historically, surgical advancements rely on rigorous evaluation and outcome assessment.
• Disparities in surgical outcomes are influenced by factors beyond insurance and social determinants of health.
• Implicit bias is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to unequal patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the application of critical thinking and rigorous evaluation to address disparities in surgical care.
• To highlight the role of implicit bias in surgical outcome disparities.
• To emphasize the professional responsibility of surgeons in mitigating bias and promoting equitable care.

Main Methods:

• This is a conceptual and ethical discussion, not an empirical study.
• Analysis of the role of implicit bias in healthcare.
• Call to action for professional self-reflection and systemic change.

Main Results:

• Implicit bias, a natural human attribute, significantly impacts surgical outcomes.
• Managing personal and collective biases is essential for providing equitable surgical care.
• Surgeons have a responsibility to lead change in addressing bias in medicine and society.

Conclusions:

• Addressing implicit bias is imperative for achieving health equity in surgery.
• Surgeons must actively manage their biases to improve patient outcomes.
• Professional commitment to self-awareness and systemic change is vital for advancing equitable surgical practices.