The Importance of Mentorship in Thoracic Surgery Residency

Background: Effective mentorship is a critical component of thoracic surgery training, fostering the acquisition of advanced clinical skills, professional identity, and academic growth essential for the development of future specialists. This perspective article examines the role of mentorship in thoracic surgery training, with a particular focus on the value perceived by residents. Methods: The research was conducted on Pubmed, using the following targeted search queries: 'mentorship and thoracic residency' and 'thoracic surgery residents' satisfaction'. Only studies published in English between 2015 and 2025 were included. Studies lacking primary data on mentorship outcomes were excluded. Results: Out of 286 studies initially identified, 25 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five main thematic domains emerged: Impact and Effectiveness of Mentorship (12 studies), Training Pathways and Workforce (13), Diversity, Gender, and Equity (8), Resident Well-Being and Outcomes (4), and Assessment Tools (1). Overlaps among domains were frequent, underscoring the multifaceted role of mentorship in thoracic surgery training. Conclusions: Mentorship is a key determinant of success in thoracic surgical training, enhancing technical skills, clinical performance, and academic productivity while protecting resident well-being. It also promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, supports workforce sustainability, and strengthens professional development. Evidence confirms that mentorship should be considered an essential component of training curricula, with future efforts directed toward structured, equitable, and measurable mentorship programs.