Mentorship of Women in Plastic Surgery: Reflections on Progress and Future Directions

Background: Mentorship is essential for women in plastic surgery. It significantly aids their successful entry into the field and fosters long-term career advancement. At every stage, mentorship helps overcome barriers caused by persistent gender inequities. Given its importance, assessing the current mentorship landscape and identifying areas for improvement is essential to ensure women not only enter plastic surgery but also thrive within the field. Methods: A narrative review of peer-reviewed articles was conducted to assess the status of mentorship, strategies, and obstacles, as well as female representation and intersectionality within plastic surgery. The review placed a strong emphasis on mentoring in plastic surgery, while also expanding beyond the existing literature within the field to include broader perspectives. Results: Women are increasingly represented in medical school and training programs, but significant gender disparities persist in academic plastic surgery, especially in leadership roles. Female surgeons face challenges such as slower career progression, unequal pay, harassment, and work-life balance struggles. Mentorship is crucial for boosting academic productivity, reducing burnout, and promoting diversity, yet many women lack access to adequate guidance. The scarcity of female mentors in senior positions and the absence of structured mentorship programs exacerbate these challenges. Conclusions: Expanding mentorship opportunities and strategies, strengthening work-life balance support, and ensuring access to essential resources for women are vital steps in promoting success and advancing equity in academic plastic surgery.