Mentorship in Surgery: Best Practices for Mentor–Mentee Relationships

This review aims to examine the relevant literature regarding mentorship in surgery, especially, but not limited to, mentorship of residents and early career faculty, and including the benefits of mentorship, qualities of ideal mentors and mentees, and the relationship of sponsorship to mentorship.

A wide range of modern mentorship models exists beyond the traditional dyadic mentor–mentee pair that was often established informally. These include structured formal mentorship programs, group mentorship, peer mentorship, distance mentorship, and mentorship across domains.

A mentor, a “supporter and guide” to the mentee, is paramount to individual and personal development, especially in surgery. Mentorship offers numerous benefits to mentors and mentees in academic medicine and surgery and is perceived as essential for advancement. Mentorship and sponsorship, while similar, provide distinct functions in academic surgery. Successful mentorship relationships are marked by reciprocity, mutual respect, clear expectations, personal connection, and shared values and mentors/mentees with personal traits to promote these. While mentorship in surgery originated as apprenticeship and progressed to informal dyadic mentorship, which remain relevant mentorship models today, the value of structured, formal mentorship, with dedicated programming, is increasingly demonstrated. Mentorship is an indispensable tool to promote inclusion and equity in surgery. Newer mentorship forms include group, peer, and distance mentorship, recognizing the importance of mentorship across domains (clinical, research, personal) and training levels (medical school, residency and fellowship, and faculty). Continued attention toward improving mentorship should be seen as part of continuing to advance the art and profession of surgery.