Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Sociotechnical Factors Contributing to Workplace Stress in Surgical Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS:Of 43 students who completed our initial survey, 32 indicated interest in general surgery and were paired with surgical mentors. Twenty-six paired students completed follow-up surveys (81% response rate). Of these 26 students, 39% reported increased interest in surgery since joining the mentorship program and 54% reported having a surgery mentor, increased from 21% of initial survey respondents. Topics most commonly discussed with mentors included career guidance (23%), research opportunities (23%), and work-life balance (27%). Barriers to mentorship included time constraints of mentees and mentors (46%), COVID-19 (8%), and lack of mentor-mentee communication (8%). Mentorship program impact on perceptions of a surgical career varied (Figure).CONCLUSION: A student-led mentorship program can improve medical students' access to surgical mentors, which might increase interest in surgery. However, more work is needed to address common concerns about a surgical career.