Introduction to surgical coaching

Surgical coaching is a new approach to continuous professional development (CPD). Advocates claim that coaching improves surgical and non-technical skills, leading to enhanced performance and reduced stress and burnout. Widespread acceptance of coaching in the surgical community is limited due to a paucity of evidence, surgery-specific obstacles and lack of resources. This narrative review introduces what 'surgical coaching' is and describes its origins. Coaching techniques are based on live or video observation of procedures, followed by collaborative analysis, reflection and goal planning in a non-competitive setting aided by an expert, peer or lay coach. Technical skills improvements have been reported using coaching techniques, yet long-term influence on non-technical competencies, overall performance and surgeon wellbeing are largely hypothetical. There are clear potential benefits in the application of surgical coaching to daily surgical practice. However, significant knowledge gaps remain. Dedicated research into the short-term applicability and the long-term effects of surgical coaching are required.