• Allan Stolarski, Katherine He, Naomi Sell, Priyanka Chugh, Patrick O'Neal, Douglas S Smink, Edward Whang, and Gentian Kristo.
• Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA; Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Medical School, Boston, MA.
• Surgery. 2021 Jun 1; 169 (6): 1354-1360.

BackgroundNew surgeons are faced with inadequate mentoring when first entering practice. Our study examined challenges faced by young surgeons during their transition in practice and their mentoring experience when entering practice.MethodsAn article-based survey was mailed in August 2019 to general, colorectal, vascular, and cardiothoracic surgeons that became members of the American College of Surgeons within the past 5 years.ResultsA total of 853 of 2,915 surveys were completed (29.3% response rate). Both female (38%) and male (62%) surgeons participated. The 3 most common challenges during the transition to practice were confidence building (26.0%), adjusting to a new institutional culture (16.9%), and business and administrative aspects of practice (16.3%). First job attrition rate 44.2%, with the mean duration of the first job being 3.28 ± 0.17 years. Nearly one-third (28.3%) of respondents were not mentored when they first entered practice. The proportion of nonmentored young surgeons leaving their first job (64.3%) was almost twice as that of surgeons who received mentoring (36.3%). Furthermore, the mean duration of the first job was significantly shorter in nonmentored versus mentored surgeons (3.16 ± 0.26 vs 3.76 ± 0.25 years; P < .05). A significant number (43.3%) of respondents reported a desire to be mentored by retired surgeons.ConclusionOur survey highlights the importance of mentoring for young surgeons during their transition into practice. With many young surgeons being enthusiastic about mentoring by retired surgeons, specific programs are necessary to better use their expertise.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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