Commentary on "supervisory knowing in practice across medical specialties" : Scalpel, please! Why is it more challenging to hand over the scalpel than a ward round for future surgeons' learning?

Abstract

In the dynamic, non-linear world of medical education, balancing patient care and trainee learning is a complex task. This commentary responds to the original article by Noble et al. (2023), which challenges the perceived tension between patient care and trainee learning in the surgical environment and advocates for their co-occurrence across various medical specialties. The article explores supervisory practices across disciplines and proposes a holistic reconceptualization of clinical supervision in surgery. From various perspectives, the importance of hands-on opportunities in the operation theatre and the challenges trainees encounter in gaining practical experience are emphasized. Strategies aimed at improving clinical supervision and enhancing surgical education are suggested. By addressing these challenges and providing more opportunities for hands-on training across specialties, surgical education programs can better prepare trainees for the demands of their future careers while ensuring high-quality patient care.