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Objective: Mentorship within vascular surgery has not been extensively evaluated. This study sought to examine mentorship experiences in graduating vascular trainees.
Methods: An anonymous electronic survey examining current mentor relationships, ideal characteristics, academic productivity and operative comfort level was emailed to all U.S. graduating 2015 (n=141) and 2016 (n=144) vascular trainees (VTs) during their last year of training. A parallel survey was emailed to program/associate program directors (PDs) of all U.S. vascular training programs (n=169).
Results: Surveys were completed by 65 (38%) PDs and 62 (22%) VTs. Forty-three (69%) VTs identified a mentor with no difference in frequency of having a mentor noted between gender, type of training (fellowship/residency) or geographical region. The majority (41/43, 95%) recognized a vascular surgeon as their mentor; the mentor was assigned in 10/43 (23%) trainees and was their program director in 9/43 (21%). Ideal mentor characteristics, identified by VTs using 4-point Likert scales, were approachability, supportiveness, and accessibility (3.94, 3.76, and 3.74 respectively), while those of a good mentee were enthusiasm, ethical work, and commitment (3.79, 3.69, and 3.45 respectively). Trainees scored accessibility, approachability, compassion, and same gender significantly higher than PDs as characteristics of ideal mentors (P<0.05). The majority of PDs thought mentorship increased access to research opportunities, professional networking, and job opportunities, but not operative skill (90%, 95%, 65% and 18% respectively). There was no difference between trainees with mentors and those without in terms of reported academic productivity or operative comfort level. Vascular fellows reported higher comfort than residents in open AAA repair (3.32 vs. 2.73, P=0.04) and aortomesenteric bypass (2.57 vs. 1.93, P=0.03), and neither group was comfortable performing carotid stenting, fenestrated EVARs or juxtarenal aneurysms.
Conclusions: Despite no difference in academic productivity or case comfort level between trainees with mentors and those without, benefits of mentoring may include professional networking, and increased research and job opportunities. Vascular trainees feel more strongly than program directors that a good mentor is one who is accessible, approachable, compassionate, and the same gender. Vascular fellows feel more comfortable with open vascular operations than residents, and nether group feels comfortable with complex endovascular cases.