Ensuring excellence and competence in surgery: the imperative of mentorship from historical and philosophical perspectives.
OBJECTIVE
How can the surgical disciplines (1) attract and recruit students of the highest capabilities and ideals; (2) ensure professional competency; and (3) maximize efficacy and safety of biotechnology translated to patient care?


METHODS
Critique of the occidental humanistic literature.


RESULTS
The imperative of mentorship is grounded in the philosophical traditions of occidental society dating from antiquity.


CONCLUSIONS
This essay affirms that imperative in relationship to the surgical disciplines from an historical perspective.
Webster
John A
JA
Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Medical Center, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA.
Edmiston
Todd B
TB
Rodning
Charles B
CB