EUPSA CONNECT: A New Global Mentorship Initiative for Career Development and Well-Being in Pediatric Surgery

AIM: Recognizing that mentorship plays a central role in supporting the scholarly and professional development of early career pediatric surgeons, EUPSA launched the first, international mentorship initiative within pediatric surgery in Europe in 2024. One year after implementation, we aimed to evaluate whether EUPSA CONNECT has a positive impact on participants. METHODS: Following Executive Board approval, baseline (10/2024) and follow-up (12/2025) data were collected from 71 mentor-mentee-pairs (58% female, 34 countries). Participant experience and program impact were assessed using validated survey questionnaires. Pre- and post-intervention differences and gender-related effects were analyzed using Welch’s t tests, with effect sizes reported as Cohen’s d. RESULTS: In total, 149 participants completed the questionnaires (48% mentees). Mentors had a median of 23 years professional experience (IQR 14-28.5). Participants completed a median of three (IQR 1-4.5), up to 12 mentorship sessions. One year after initiation, participants reported a reduced work-related burden (1.71 vs. 1.51; d=0.09; p=0.092) and self-condemnation (2.85 vs. 2.66; d=0.06; p=0.24). Female participants continued to report higher physical and emotional exhaustion, greater self-condemnation, and lower self-compassion and self-care than males (p < 0.05; d=0.56-0.78). Mentees reported clearer career goals, improved communication and collaboration skills, accompanied by achievements such as securing new positions, completing overseas rotations and academic productivity. Overall, 88.1% would recommend EUPSA CONNECT. CONCLUSIONS: EUPSA CONNECT shows high engagement and satisfaction, with improved experience of work demands and self-valuation. Structured mentorship effectively supports professional development and resilience, while persistent gender differences highlight the need for targeted equity-focused strategies.