Left-handed surgeons: are they left out?
BACKGROUND
Left-handedness has been considered a simple inconvenience by some or something as convoluted as "the sinister," the Latin word for the left, by others. One in ten medical personnel is left-handed. The perceptions of left-handed surgeons regarding their laterality related inconveniences are unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the perceptions of left-handed surgeons and the way it has affected their surgical training and career.


METHODS
Web-based survey of left-handed surgeons.


METHODS
Left-handed surgeons in 2 boroughs of New York City, Manhattan and Brooklyn.


METHODS
Distribution and completion of the survey.


METHODS
Career-oriented concerns of left-handed surgeons.


RESULTS
Three percent of left-handed surgeons received laterality related mentoring during medical school. Ten percent of the programs mentored left-handed surgical residents, and 13% of the programs provided left-handed instruments during surgical residency. Laparoscopy and laparoscopic instruments did not eliminate the problems associated with instrument handling to left-handed surgeons. Ten percent of the left-handed surgeons expressed concerns when asked whether they would be comfortable being treated by another left-handed surgeon when they are the patients themselves.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals the perceptions of left-handed surgeons in adapting to a right-handed world. Early laterality related mentoring in medical school and during surgical residency with provision of left-handed instruments might reduce the inconveniences of left-handed surgeons learning.
Adusumilli
Prasad S
PS
Department of Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, USA. adusumip@mskcc.org
Kell
Christian
C
Chang
Jae-Hyung
JH
Tuorto
Scott
S
Leitman
I Michael
IM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D004501:Education, Medical; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D013525:Surgical Instruments