Preceptoring, proctoring, mentoring, and coaching in surgery

Abstract

Contemporary models of surgical education that are founded on sound educational theories and constructs need to be used across the continuum of professional development of surgeons starting with the first day of medical school, through surgery residency and fellowship training, to the last day of surgical practice. The highly learner-centered and individually-focused special interventions of preceptoring, proctoring, mentoring, and coaching should be linked to innovative competency-based education models to address the educational needs of learners at all levels, and especially of surgeons in practice to continually improve their knowledge, skills, and performance, with the aspirational goal of achieving expertise and mastery. Each of these interventions is distinct with its own unique characteristics, applications, and anticipated impact, which must be clearly recognized for the interventions to be used most effectively. Broad acceptance and adoption of the aforementioned special interventions require recognition of the value each brings to the learner and the educational program. Professional organizations should play a key role in designing innovative educational programs that include these interventions, supporting their integration into surgical education and surgical practice, and influencing changes in the cultures in surgery to facilitate broad adoption of these interventions.

Keywords: acquisition of new skills; coaching; continuing professional development in surgery; excellence in surgery; expertise and mastery in surgery; lifelong learning in surgery; mentoring; preceptoring; proctoring; verification of new skills.