An Association for Women Surgeons Developed Toolkit for Cross-Mentoring in Surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Diversity and Inclusion

Background:

• The surgical workforce is diversifying, requiring inclusive mentoring.
• Traditional mentoring models may not adequately support diverse mentees.
• Cross-mentoring skills are crucial for addressing varied needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the evolving needs of surgical mentoring.
• To develop strategies for inclusive and effective mentoring relationships.
• To present a curriculum focused on cross-mentoring.

Main Methods:

• Developed a curriculum of six virtual, interactive sessions.
• Focused on highlighting specific topics and identity groups.
• Facilitated discussions on barriers in mentoring relationships.

Main Results:

• Identified key barriers in surgical mentoring relationships.
• Developed strategies and best practices for cross-mentoring.
• Provided a framework for inclusive mentoring.

Conclusions:

• Inclusive mentoring is essential for a diverse surgical workforce.
• Cross-mentoring skills are vital for addressing diverse mentee needs.
• The developed curriculum offers practical strategies for improving surgical mentoring.