Journal of vascular surgery
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Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome behaviors or obscene remarks that affect an individual's work performance or create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. It is known to be more pervasive in male-dominated workplaces and flourishes in a climate of tolerance and culture of silence. We sought to examine its prevalence in faculty of vascular surgery training programs, to identify factors associated with occurrence, to determine reporting barriers, and to identify any gender bias that exists. ⋯ A significant number of faculty of vascular surgery training programs have experienced workplace sexual harassment. Whereas most are aware of institutional reporting mechanisms, very few events are reported and <60% of respondents feel comfortable reporting to departmental or divisional leadership. Female vascular surgeons believe gender influences hiring, promotion, compensation, and assumptions of life goals. Further work is necessary to identify methods of reducing workplace sexual harassment and to optimize gender disparity in vascular surgery practice.
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Ever since the first positive test was identified on January 21, 2020, Washington State has been on the frontlines of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using information obtained from Italian surgeons in Milan and given the concerns regarding the increasing case numbers in Washington State, we implemented new vascular surgery guidelines, which canceled all nonemergent surgical procedures and involved significant changes to our inpatient and outpatient workflow. The consequences of these decisions are not yet understood. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic has changed every aspect of "normal" vascular surgical practice in a large academic institution. New practice guidelines effectively reduced operating room usage and decreased staff and trainee exposure to potential infection, with the changes to clinic volume not resulting in an immediate increase in emergency department or inpatient consultations or acute surgical emergencies. These changes, although preserving resources, have also reduced trainee exposure and operative volume significantly, which requires new modes of education delivery. The lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, if analyzed, will help us prepare for the next crisis.