How Should Risk Be Communicated to Patients When Developing Resident Surgeon Robotic Skills?

Abstract

This commentary on a case considers how to cultivate resident surgeon professional autonomy while ensuring patient safety. Specifically, the commentary briefly canvasses strategies for how to disclose the nature and scope of resident surgeon involvement in managing intraoperative care to patients and their loved ones. The commentary also suggests how to manage patients’ and their loved ones’ expectations and assumptions about surgical innovation, including robot-assisted surgery.