Abstract

Accessing surgical services is an inherently complicated process that can expose and create disparities in care provision and health outcomes. The overarching principle that structures approaches to access in surgery is justice, although how this is framed and implemented remains a complex issue. Access and justice tend to intersect and are often resolved based upon circumstantial details, whether in clinical practice, policy, law, or administration, despite established frameworks. Herein, these values are analyzed as applied to various stakeholders including organizations, countries, health systems, and individual surgeons, which each face unique challenges to ensuring fair and equitable access and care.