Journal Review in Surgical Education: Gossip in Residency

Psst… wanna hear some tea? Join Drs. Maya Hunt, John Woodward, and Cait Silvestri as they discuss gossip - what it is, what it means, and how it can impact the surgical training environment. Joined by authors of a recent paper deconstructing gossip in surgical residency, Dr. Bobbi Ann Adair White and former CoSEF leader Dr. Joseph L’Huillier, the team examines the ways gossip can be positive and negative, how we can mitigate the harms that come with it, and reflect on some of our own experiences with gossip as trainees.

Episode Hosts:
- Dr. Maya Hunt, Indiana University, mayahunt@iu.edu
- Dr. John Woodward, University at Buffalo, @JohnWoodward76, jmwoodwa@buffalo.edu
- Dr. Cait Silvestri, Columbia University, @CaitSilvestri, cs4004@cumc.columbia.edu
- CoSEF: @surgedfellows, cosef.org

Guests:
- Dr. Joseph L’Huillier, University of Buffalo, @JoeLHuillier101, josephlh@buffalo.edu
- Dr. Bobbi Ann Adair White, MGH Institute of Health Professions, @_BAAW_, bwhite2@mghihp.edu

Learning Objectives:
- Define gossip in the context of surgical education, distinguishing between its academic definition and common perceptions
- Identify how forms of gossip can be constructive, as well as destructive
- Explore the process model of gossip in surgical residency programs, including what choices recipients have when receiving gossip
- Recognize environmental factors that contribute to gossip in surgical settings
- Apply practical strategies to mitigate harmful gossip in training environments

References:
- L'Huillier JC, Silvestri C, Brian R, et al. The Anatomy of Gossip: Dissecting Dynamics and Impacts in Surgical Residency. Surgery. 2025;180:109126. doi:10.1016/j.surg.2024.109126 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39862712/
- L'Huillier JC, Woodward JM, Lund S, et al. Is it gossip or feedback? Surgical attendings' perceptions of gossip within residency. J Surg Educ. 2024;81(10):1362-1373. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.07.004 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39173427/

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