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Review
. 2021 Jan;13(1):464-472.
doi: 10.21037/jtd.2020.04.11.

Women in thoracic surgery: social media and the value of mentorship

Erin M Corsini  1 , Jessica G Y Luc  2 , Mara B Antonoff  1
Affiliations
Review

Women in thoracic surgery: social media and the value of mentorship

Erin M Corsini et al. J Thorac Dis. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Social media serves as a tool to fill gaps in current efforts to promote women in cardiothoracic surgery, and, given its global reach, may be a particularly effective modality. Social media has an important role in networking and mentorship, especially for women seeking careers in specialties with relatively sparse female representation, such as cardiothoracic surgery. In addition, social media may facilitate professional interactions, collaboration, growth of online reputations, engagement in continued education, communication of novel research findings, and patient education. Herein, we review the evidence for social media in the networking and mentorship of women in cardiothoracic surgery. Future studies are needed to establish the durability of social media efforts and predictors in its effectiveness in achieving its goals.

Keywords: Mentorship; social media; surgeons; thoracic surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2020.04.11). The series “Women in Thoracic Surgery” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. MA serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Journal of Thoracic Disease from Aug 2019 to Jul 2021. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Reasons for social media use among medical and surgical specialties. CT, cardiothoracic.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mentorship needs and behaviors of respondents in medical and surgical specialties. CT, cardiothoracic.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Respondents ranking of important criteria regarding the content believed to be important on mentor/mentee social media sites. CT, cardiothoracic.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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