Dr Ruth Vilayil
@ruthvmd.medsky.social
Gynecologic Surgeon & OB. Passionate about MIGS, advancing surgical excellence,#SurgSky #MedEdSky #ObGynSky #globalsurgery, #QISky. Clin Assoc Prof UBC, Dual 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 | Based in Canada | Opinions my own.
Pinned
Dr Ruth Vilayil
@ruthvmd.medsky.social
· Sep 29
Quick reintro:
👋 I’m a global surgeon, educator & OBGYN.
Passionate about the nontechnical side of surgery (leadership, negotiation, comms) plus wellness & global surgery.
Here to share ideas on making surg care safer & more human.
#MedEd #GlobalSurgery #PhysicianWellness #MedSky #ObGynSky
👋 I’m a global surgeon, educator & OBGYN.
Passionate about the nontechnical side of surgery (leadership, negotiation, comms) plus wellness & global surgery.
Here to share ideas on making surg care safer & more human.
#MedEd #GlobalSurgery #PhysicianWellness #MedSky #ObGynSky
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
Changes & contributions to the gender pay gap in surgery in Canada
“women receive fewer procedural payments than men & tend to perform lower paying procedures. Reforms to referral systems & billing codes can help [address] the gender pay gap in surgery”
@docmcohen.medsky.social
“women receive fewer procedural payments than men & tend to perform lower paying procedures. Reforms to referral systems & billing codes can help [address] the gender pay gap in surgery”
@docmcohen.medsky.social
Changes and contributions to the gender pay gap in surgery in Canada: a repeated cross-sectional analysis from 1996 to 2020
Objectives Occupational gender segregation is a contributing factor to gender pay inequity in medicine but has not been thoroughly characterised. We assessed the historical relationship between surgeo...
bmjopen.bmj.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Changes & contributions to the gender pay gap in surgery in Canada
“women receive fewer procedural payments than men & tend to perform lower paying procedures. Reforms to referral systems & billing codes can help [address] the gender pay gap in surgery”
@docmcohen.medsky.social
“women receive fewer procedural payments than men & tend to perform lower paying procedures. Reforms to referral systems & billing codes can help [address] the gender pay gap in surgery”
@docmcohen.medsky.social
Surgical training teaches us how to operate.
Too rarely does it teach us what to expect when things go wrong. We need to:
• Prepare surgeons BEFORE complications happen
• Teach how to handle it emotionally IN the moment
• Support surgeons AFTER as second victims
Too rarely does it teach us what to expect when things go wrong. We need to:
• Prepare surgeons BEFORE complications happen
• Teach how to handle it emotionally IN the moment
• Support surgeons AFTER as second victims
December 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Surgical training teaches us how to operate.
Too rarely does it teach us what to expect when things go wrong. We need to:
• Prepare surgeons BEFORE complications happen
• Teach how to handle it emotionally IN the moment
• Support surgeons AFTER as second victims
Too rarely does it teach us what to expect when things go wrong. We need to:
• Prepare surgeons BEFORE complications happen
• Teach how to handle it emotionally IN the moment
• Support surgeons AFTER as second victims
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
Ever notice how Kevin McAllister didn’t rely on 1 trap to stop the Wet Bandits?
Ice on stairs, tar on the steps, hot doorknob, swinging paint cans, sharp ornaments, toy cars—the whole chaotic stack.
One trap alone was not enough.
But all of them together--> Genius. 1/🧵
Ice on stairs, tar on the steps, hot doorknob, swinging paint cans, sharp ornaments, toy cars—the whole chaotic stack.
One trap alone was not enough.
But all of them together--> Genius. 1/🧵
a young boy wearing a red sweater is sitting in front of a window
Alt: a young boy wearing a red sweater is sitting in front of a window
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Ever notice how Kevin McAllister didn’t rely on 1 trap to stop the Wet Bandits?
Ice on stairs, tar on the steps, hot doorknob, swinging paint cans, sharp ornaments, toy cars—the whole chaotic stack.
One trap alone was not enough.
But all of them together--> Genius. 1/🧵
Ice on stairs, tar on the steps, hot doorknob, swinging paint cans, sharp ornaments, toy cars—the whole chaotic stack.
One trap alone was not enough.
But all of them together--> Genius. 1/🧵
One simple tool: the Hat Strategy.
When you leave work, take off your doctor hat. Put on your Home hat. Slower pace. Gentler tone.
When work calls, Doctor hat back on. Crisp language. Details. Emotional containment.
Same person. Different operating system. Use the right hat! 🧢 👒
When you leave work, take off your doctor hat. Put on your Home hat. Slower pace. Gentler tone.
When work calls, Doctor hat back on. Crisp language. Details. Emotional containment.
Same person. Different operating system. Use the right hat! 🧢 👒
December 21, 2025 at 9:21 PM
One simple tool: the Hat Strategy.
When you leave work, take off your doctor hat. Put on your Home hat. Slower pace. Gentler tone.
When work calls, Doctor hat back on. Crisp language. Details. Emotional containment.
Same person. Different operating system. Use the right hat! 🧢 👒
When you leave work, take off your doctor hat. Put on your Home hat. Slower pace. Gentler tone.
When work calls, Doctor hat back on. Crisp language. Details. Emotional containment.
Same person. Different operating system. Use the right hat! 🧢 👒
Belonging > fitting in
In a national survey of >6,100 general surgery residents, sense of belonging was positively associated with performance on the American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination (#ABSITE).
ja.ma/4j8zUbo
ja.ma/4j8zUbo
December 20, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Belonging > fitting in
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
Bots create MUCH of traffic on X, perhaps more than half.
"Ratioed" = bot invasion.
"Social media bots are deeply interweaved into our digital ecosystem" (www.nature.com/articles/s41...). They shape discourse & fuel polarization.
"64% of profiles" = bots www.clickguard.com/blog/twitter...
"Ratioed" = bot invasion.
"Social media bots are deeply interweaved into our digital ecosystem" (www.nature.com/articles/s41...). They shape discourse & fuel polarization.
"64% of profiles" = bots www.clickguard.com/blog/twitter...
A global comparison of social media bot and human characteristics - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - A global comparison of social media bot and human characteristics
www.nature.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Bots create MUCH of traffic on X, perhaps more than half.
"Ratioed" = bot invasion.
"Social media bots are deeply interweaved into our digital ecosystem" (www.nature.com/articles/s41...). They shape discourse & fuel polarization.
"64% of profiles" = bots www.clickguard.com/blog/twitter...
"Ratioed" = bot invasion.
"Social media bots are deeply interweaved into our digital ecosystem" (www.nature.com/articles/s41...). They shape discourse & fuel polarization.
"64% of profiles" = bots www.clickguard.com/blog/twitter...
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
Today I was proud of the fierce compassion of my partners for patients who are marginalized and discriminated against in our society. Our role as OBGYNs has never been more important as it is now as advocates in today’s society. I am guessing of specialties may feel similar.
December 20, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Today I was proud of the fierce compassion of my partners for patients who are marginalized and discriminated against in our society. Our role as OBGYNs has never been more important as it is now as advocates in today’s society. I am guessing of specialties may feel similar.
Dropped my kids off for Pajama Day at school today. Then remembered : EVERY day is Pajama day for meeeee
December 20, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Dropped my kids off for Pajama Day at school today. Then remembered : EVERY day is Pajama day for meeeee
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
Here are my 5 most-read (or at least clicked-on) columns of 2025. Thanks for reading! www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Here are my 5 most-read (or at least clicked-on) columns of 2025. Thanks for reading! www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... via @theglobeandmail.com
Thank you to Dr Leyland and @sogc.org for speaking up on this important topic
www.cbc.ca/radio/whitec...
www.cbc.ca/radio/whitec...
Delays in gynecological surgeries putting women’s health— and lives—at risk, doctors warn | CBC News
Long wait times for gynecological surgeries are putting many Canadian women at risk, doctors say. Surgical wait times vary across the country, but a 2020 study found that a gynecologist consultation a...
www.cbc.ca
December 19, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Thank you to Dr Leyland and @sogc.org for speaking up on this important topic
www.cbc.ca/radio/whitec...
www.cbc.ca/radio/whitec...
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
Yesterday I posted the 1st of my 2 recent papers with @tarakiran.bsky.social on the #GenderPayGap in medicine. Today I'm thrilled to share the 2nd, done with Dr. Fahima Dossa.
We wanted to see if #WomenInSurgery did different types of work than their male colleagues.
1/8
#Medsky #Surgsky🧵
We wanted to see if #WomenInSurgery did different types of work than their male colleagues.
1/8
#Medsky #Surgsky🧵
Building on work that @tarakiran.bsky.social and I published 5 yrs ago, we're excited to announce the first of two new papers on the #GenderPayGap in Canadian medicine. This one is for @jama.com.
Data shows "pink collaring" or devaluation. Incomes going down when women enter a specialty.
#Medsky🧵
Data shows "pink collaring" or devaluation. Incomes going down when women enter a specialty.
#Medsky🧵
Proportion of Female Physicians in a Specialty and Median Annual Payments
This cross-sectional study evaluates whether an increase in the proportion of female physicians in a specialty is associated with a decrease in the median annual payments for that specialty.
jamanetwork.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Yesterday I posted the 1st of my 2 recent papers with @tarakiran.bsky.social on the #GenderPayGap in medicine. Today I'm thrilled to share the 2nd, done with Dr. Fahima Dossa.
We wanted to see if #WomenInSurgery did different types of work than their male colleagues.
1/8
#Medsky #Surgsky🧵
We wanted to see if #WomenInSurgery did different types of work than their male colleagues.
1/8
#Medsky #Surgsky🧵
Building on work that @tarakiran.bsky.social and I published 5 yrs ago, we're excited to announce the first of two new papers on the #GenderPayGap in Canadian medicine. This one is for @jama.com.
Data shows "pink collaring" or devaluation. Incomes going down when women enter a specialty.
#Medsky🧵
Data shows "pink collaring" or devaluation. Incomes going down when women enter a specialty.
#Medsky🧵
Proportion of Female Physicians in a Specialty and Median Annual Payments
This cross-sectional study evaluates whether an increase in the proportion of female physicians in a specialty is associated with a decrease in the median annual payments for that specialty.
jamanetwork.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Gender pay gap in surgery in Canada: persists!
--> some strategies for closing the pay gap in #surgery, ex reduce referral bias and increase value of non-procedural work
@docmcohen.medsky.social
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1...
--> some strategies for closing the pay gap in #surgery, ex reduce referral bias and increase value of non-procedural work
@docmcohen.medsky.social
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1...
Changes and contributions to the gender pay gap in surgery in Canada: a repeated cross-sectional analysis from 1996 to 2020
Objectives Occupational gender segregation is a contributing factor to gender pay inequity in medicine but has not been thoroughly characterised. We assessed the historical relationship between surgeo...
bmjopen.bmj.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Gender pay gap in surgery in Canada: persists!
--> some strategies for closing the pay gap in #surgery, ex reduce referral bias and increase value of non-procedural work
@docmcohen.medsky.social
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1...
--> some strategies for closing the pay gap in #surgery, ex reduce referral bias and increase value of non-procedural work
@docmcohen.medsky.social
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1...
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
The birth experience can be traumatic for mothers & providers are often unprepared to deliver trauma-informed care. This @uwmedicine.bsky.social curriculum teaches how to interact with perinatal patients using TIC principles, practice, & reflection. #MedEd #Medsky
www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766...
www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766...
A Trauma-informed Care Curriculum for Perinatal Providers, Staff, and Learners | MedEdPORTAL
Introduction Trauma, including physical, emotional, and psychological experiences, is highly prevalent
and can lead to profound, long-lasting health consequences, especially in perinatal
patients, who...
www.mededportal.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The birth experience can be traumatic for mothers & providers are often unprepared to deliver trauma-informed care. This @uwmedicine.bsky.social curriculum teaches how to interact with perinatal patients using TIC principles, practice, & reflection. #MedEd #Medsky
www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766...
www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766...
Sweet home made treat from my office staff! Yum
Wonderful time of the year
Wonderful time of the year
December 17, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Sweet home made treat from my office staff! Yum
Wonderful time of the year
Wonderful time of the year
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
It's our #MedEd community that makes the International Conference on Residency Education bigger and better every year! Share your ideas and expertise by submitting a #ICRE2026 abstract.
Deadline January 14, 2026 : icre.royalcollege.ca/en/program/c...
Deadline January 14, 2026 : icre.royalcollege.ca/en/program/c...
December 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It's our #MedEd community that makes the International Conference on Residency Education bigger and better every year! Share your ideas and expertise by submitting a #ICRE2026 abstract.
Deadline January 14, 2026 : icre.royalcollege.ca/en/program/c...
Deadline January 14, 2026 : icre.royalcollege.ca/en/program/c...
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
Hey Canada, I’m going to be at this event!
Join us February 10, 2026 in Ottawa or online for the launch our 2026 Health & Media Tracking Survey results with the Empire Club of Canada. We’ll examine the growing influence of health misinformation and the actions needed to respond.
Register here 👇
bit.ly/4oQmQsi
#HMTS2026
Register here 👇
bit.ly/4oQmQsi
#HMTS2026
December 17, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Hey Canada, I’m going to be at this event!
When out-of-pocket health expenses exceed **40%** of a household's income, it’s called **catastrophic health expenditure**
it leads to delayed care, worse outcomes, and poverty cycles
#globalsurgery
it leads to delayed care, worse outcomes, and poverty cycles
#globalsurgery
Hmm, those who voted for Trump should have thought of healthcare insurance cost instead of the price of eggs.
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/o...
December 17, 2025 at 2:49 PM
When out-of-pocket health expenses exceed **40%** of a household's income, it’s called **catastrophic health expenditure**
it leads to delayed care, worse outcomes, and poverty cycles
#globalsurgery
it leads to delayed care, worse outcomes, and poverty cycles
#globalsurgery
"The future of healthcare lies not in silos, but in synergy."
Yes! also shout-out to #prehab
#ObGynSky
Yes! also shout-out to #prehab
#ObGynSky
🧠 Beyond repair, beyond Kegels
From prehabilitation to post-operative care, this piece highlights how multidisciplinary teamwork restores not just anatomy, but function, dignity, and confidence.
👉 buff.ly/VRy9zNX
#surgsky #medsky
From prehabilitation to post-operative care, this piece highlights how multidisciplinary teamwork restores not just anatomy, but function, dignity, and confidence.
👉 buff.ly/VRy9zNX
#surgsky #medsky
BJS Academy
As a pelvic health physiotherapist, I’ve spent my career standing at the intersection of two worlds—where conservative rehabilitation meets surgical expertise. Working alongside surgeons has taught…
www.bjsacademy.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
🧠 Beyond repair, beyond Kegels
From prehabilitation to post-operative care, this piece highlights how multidisciplinary teamwork restores not just anatomy, but function, dignity, and confidence.
👉 buff.ly/VRy9zNX
#surgsky #medsky
From prehabilitation to post-operative care, this piece highlights how multidisciplinary teamwork restores not just anatomy, but function, dignity, and confidence.
👉 buff.ly/VRy9zNX
#surgsky #medsky
BJS Academy
As a pelvic health physiotherapist, I’ve spent my career standing at the intersection of two worlds—where conservative rehabilitation meets surgical expertise. Working alongside surgeons has taught…
www.bjsacademy.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM
🧠 Beyond repair, beyond Kegels
From prehabilitation to post-operative care, this piece highlights how multidisciplinary teamwork restores not just anatomy, but function, dignity, and confidence.
👉 buff.ly/VRy9zNX
#surgsky #medsky
From prehabilitation to post-operative care, this piece highlights how multidisciplinary teamwork restores not just anatomy, but function, dignity, and confidence.
👉 buff.ly/VRy9zNX
#surgsky #medsky
Every org has three sets of intentions:
➡️what it openly declares
➡️what it quietly practices
➡️what it actively discourages
Surgical safety improves best when these are ALIGNED, not when policies mask conflicting incentives and expectations.
#SurgSky #PatientSafety #Leadership
➡️what it openly declares
➡️what it quietly practices
➡️what it actively discourages
Surgical safety improves best when these are ALIGNED, not when policies mask conflicting incentives and expectations.
#SurgSky #PatientSafety #Leadership
December 16, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Every org has three sets of intentions:
➡️what it openly declares
➡️what it quietly practices
➡️what it actively discourages
Surgical safety improves best when these are ALIGNED, not when policies mask conflicting incentives and expectations.
#SurgSky #PatientSafety #Leadership
➡️what it openly declares
➡️what it quietly practices
➡️what it actively discourages
Surgical safety improves best when these are ALIGNED, not when policies mask conflicting incentives and expectations.
#SurgSky #PatientSafety #Leadership
Christmas activity achieved! Live theatre “A Christmas Carol”
Photo taken by my 8 yo ❤️
#OlympicVillage #Vancouver
Photo taken by my 8 yo ❤️
#OlympicVillage #Vancouver
December 15, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Christmas activity achieved! Live theatre “A Christmas Carol”
Photo taken by my 8 yo ❤️
#OlympicVillage #Vancouver
Photo taken by my 8 yo ❤️
#OlympicVillage #Vancouver
Seems telling that the ShameLab started out in #OBGYN context. We desperately need a culture change in how we handle emotional reactions to adverse events / complications.
www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
These doctors want to break the cycle of shame and blame in medicine
Shaming is common in medical school and unfortunately, sometimes in the doctor's office. Some doctors are trying to teach medical students awareness of the problem so they don't perpetuate the cycle.
www.npr.org
December 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Seems telling that the ShameLab started out in #OBGYN context. We desperately need a culture change in how we handle emotional reactions to adverse events / complications.
www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
There is the work you do.
And then there is how that work is perceived.
In surgery and leadership, both determine outcomes.
A metaphor I use often:
The stage and the lighting.
1/
And then there is how that work is perceived.
In surgery and leadership, both determine outcomes.
A metaphor I use often:
The stage and the lighting.
1/
December 13, 2025 at 10:07 PM
There is the work you do.
And then there is how that work is perceived.
In surgery and leadership, both determine outcomes.
A metaphor I use often:
The stage and the lighting.
1/
And then there is how that work is perceived.
In surgery and leadership, both determine outcomes.
A metaphor I use often:
The stage and the lighting.
1/
Reposted by Dr Ruth Vilayil
If you work in the NHS, it’s likely that your workday is sometimes or often unpredictable. At a senior level, we are seeing more and more the VUCA Framework being used for handling fast-changing, messy and confusing situations, but it can equally be applied to any job in the NHS. 👇 👇 👇
December 11, 2025 at 8:05 AM
If you work in the NHS, it’s likely that your workday is sometimes or often unpredictable. At a senior level, we are seeing more and more the VUCA Framework being used for handling fast-changing, messy and confusing situations, but it can equally be applied to any job in the NHS. 👇 👇 👇