SAGES White Paper on the importance of diversity in surgical leadership: creating the fundamentals of leadership development (FLD) curriculum

Jenny M Shao; Juliane Bingener; Yewande Alimi; Ruchir Puri; Kim McHugh; Carlos Gomez-Garibello; Joon K Shim; Courtney Collins; Patricia Sylla; Alia P Qureshi

doi:10.1007/s00464-024-10815-w

SAGES White Paper on the importance of diversity in surgical leadership: creating the fundamentals of leadership development (FLD) curriculum

Surg Endosc. 2024 Apr 25. doi: 10.1007/s00464-024-10815-w. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, 2926A Taubman Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. jenny.m.shao@gmail.com.
² Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
³ Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medstar Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
⁴ Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Florida COM, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
⁵ Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
⁶ Institute of Health Sciences and Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC, USA.
⁷ Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, NY, USA.
⁸ Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
⁹ Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
¹⁰ Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Minimally Invasive Foregut Surgery, Oregon Health and Sciences, Portland, OR, USA.

PMID: 38664294
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-024-10815-w

Abstract

Background: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has long recognized and championed increasing diversity within the surgical workplace. SAGES initiated the Fundamentals of Leadership Development (FLD) Curriculum to address these needs and to provide surgeon leaders with the necessary tools and skills to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in surgical practice. In 2019, the American College of Surgeons issued a request for anti-racism initiatives which lead to the partnering of the two societies. The primary goal of FLD was to create the first surgeon-focused leadership curriculum dedicated to DEI. The rationale/development of this curriculum and its evaluation/feedback methods are detailed in this White Paper.

Methods: The FLD curriculum was developed by a multidisciplinary task force that included surgeons, education experts, and diversity consultants. The curriculum development followed the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) instructional design model and utilized a problem-based learning approach. Competencies were identified, and specific learning objectives and assessments were developed. The implementation of the curriculum was designed to be completed in short intervals (virtual and in-person). Post-course surveys used the Kirkpatrick's model to evaluate the curriculum and provide valuable feedback.

Results: The curriculum consisted of interactive online modules, an online discussion forum, and small group interactive sessions focused in three key areas: (1) increasing pipeline of underrepresented individuals in surgical leadership, (2) healthcare equity, and (3) conflict negotiation. By focusing on positive action items and utilizing a problem-solving approach, the curriculum aimed to provide a framework for surgical leaders to make meaningful changes in their institutions and organizations.

Conclusion: The FLD curriculum is a novel leadership curriculum that provided surgeon leaders with the knowledge and tools to improve diversity in three areas: pipeline improvement, healthcare equity, and conflict negotiation. Future directions include using pilot course feedback to enhance curricular effectiveness and delivery.

Keywords: Curriculum development; Diversity; Healthcare equity; Leadership; Surgical culture change; Surgical education.