Changing tides: A vascular surgery trainee perspective on the #MedBikini Campaign and a call for action

Abstract

Within a matter of 48 hours, the promotion of the article entitled "Prevalence of unprofessional social media content among young vascular surgeons," aptly demonstrated the power of social media and the dangers of unconscious bias as it spread across Twitter with the #MedBikini tag. In response, vascular surgeons from around the world have come together in a call to action to address the article and highlight the misogynistic, racist, and oppressive issues facing young surgeons today. We, as female vascular surgery trainees, would like to make our own call to action. The publication of this article (now appropriately retracted) has encouraged important dialogue among female vascular surgeons, male colleagues who support #HeforShe initiatives, other disadvantaged and marginalized groups in surgery, and the future generation of surgeons who will pave the path forward. We have converged to discuss the current climate of our specialty and have determined that now is an opportunity for change.It is essential that we pursue ethics, as well as excellence, in surgical practice and research. The inherent conscious and unconscious biases, poor study design, and unethical data collection methods within the article have demonstrated a critical flaw within the editorial process of the Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS). We are disappointed to find ourselves represented by the article. The publication was both tone deaf toward, and discriminatory against, us as professionals, trainees, and women. As vascular surgeons, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard. Our call to action for the JVS includes the following:1. Re-examine the review process for publication of ethical abstracts from regional and national meetings and manuscripts, and provide training in ethical research for all editors and reviewers.

Coming face to face with implicit bias, microaggressions, and macroaggressions: Understanding the influence of structural racism and misogyny on physician wellness

“…4) Invest in pipeline programs and intervene at multiple points of the "leaky pipeline" in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields to increase diversity in our specialty. 86 At the beginning of this year, the American Association of Medical Colleges Medical Education Leadership Team published "Creating Action to Eliminate Racism in Medical Education: Medical Education Senior Leaders' Rapid Action Team to Combat Racism in Medical Education. "…”

Professionalism in (vascular) surgery: What does it mean?

“…These emotions sparked a movement that led to several high-impact events. 5 Women vascular surgeons at all levels of experience responded directly to the JVS through numerous letters to the editor. One letter detailed the implications of this publication on the perceptions of medical students and residents who may be interested in vascular surgery: "it tells prospective residents and fellows that we are not tolerant or inclusive."…”

“…A large group of vascular surgery trainees issued a call to the JVS and the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) to implement action items to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and to prevent similar situations from occurring again. 5 The current trainees came together to provide their call to action for the JVS and SVS leadership. 7 These action items included: This series of events is an example of the "Swiss cheese model" for human and system error that classically describes how system defenses, barriers, and safeguards may be penetrated by a series of failures.…”

“…7 These action items included: This series of events is an example of the "Swiss cheese model" for human and system error that classically describes how system defenses, barriers, and safeguards may be penetrated by a series of failures. 5 Acknowledging and learning from these errors will hopefully lead to the adoption of an enhanced and improved model. 5 Although the retracted JVS publication included several grave missteps, it initiated a necessary conversation about professionalism in surgery, bias in the peer review process, and the importance of DEI in medicine and surgery.…”

“…5 Acknowledging and learning from these errors will hopefully lead to the adoption of an enhanced and improved model. 5 Although the retracted JVS publication included several grave missteps, it initiated a necessary conversation about professionalism in surgery, bias in the peer review process, and the importance of DEI in medicine and surgery.…”