Coaching your faculty and yourself.

Abstract

Surgical skills vary drastically among practicing surgeons. This variation in skill has been demonstrated to translate directly into patient outcomes, highlighting the importance of skill development. Despite this, directed efforts to improve surgical skills and performance among practicing surgeons remain limited. The development of surgical coaching programs offers an exciting opportunity for surgeon performance improvement and lifelong development. In this article, we will discuss the promise of surgical coaching programs, some of the challenges met when developing a program, and future avenues and opportunities for growth within the field.