Examining the Surgical Life

Abstract

Debriefing after a major event is a key component in ongoing improvement in performance. Likewise, reflecting on one’s career at the time of leaving the operating room environment is an opportunity to transmit the lessons learned from decades of surgical practice. The authors, recently retired from daily operating and leaders in American surgery, reflect on the impact of surgical life on surgeons and their personal lives. Observations regarding selection of medical students, surgical trainees and practice models are presented from this perspective.