Finding the Balance of Letting Residents Operate While Managing Patient Safety

Abstract

If you accept a job as a surgical attending at an academic center or affiliated teaching hospital, you will likely be responsible for teaching residents and fellows. This can be a very daunting yet rewarding experience. Take a few minutes to reflect on all of the attending surgeons that trained you and remember that your primary goal will always be patient safety. There will be many other factors that play a role in how much resident participation you are comfortable with in the operating room.