American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Surgical coaching in Obstetrics and Gynecology: an evidence-based strategy to elevate surgical education and promote lifelong learning

Megan S Orlando, Caprice C Greenberg, Sudha R Pavuluri Quamme, Andrew Yee, Adrienne E Faerber, Cara R King

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Summary

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), of which the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology is a member, released recommendations in 2019 reimagining specialty certification and highlighting the importance of individualized feedback and data-driven advances in clinical practice throughout physicians’ careers. In this manuscript, we present surgical coaching as an evidence-based strategy for achieving lifelong learning and practice improvement that can help to fulfill the vision of the ABMS. Surgical coaching involves the development of a partnership between two surgeons in which one surgeon (the coach) guides the other (the participant) in identifying goals, providing feedback and facilitating action planning. Previous literature demonstrates that surgical coaching is viewed as valuable by both coaches and participants. Video-based coaching, in particular, involves reviewing recorded surgical cases and can be integrated into physicians’ busy schedules as a means of acquiring and advancing both technical and non-technical skills. Establishing surgical coaching as an option for continuous learning and improvement in practice has the potential to elevate surgical performance and patient care.