Women in thoracic surgery: Social media and the value of mentorship

Social media serves as a tool to fill gaps in current efforts to promote women in cardiothoracic surgery, and, given its global reach, may be a particularly effective modality. Social media has an important role in networking and mentorship, especially for women seeking careers in specialties with relatively sparse female representation, such as cardiothoracic surgery. In addition, social media may facilitate professional interactions, collaboration, growth of online reputations, engagement in continued education, communication of novel research findings, and patient education. Herein, we review the evidence for social media in the networking and mentorship of women in cardiothoracic surgery. Future studies are needed to establish the durability of social media efforts and predictors in its effectiveness in achieving its goals.