A review of professionalism in surgery

Physicians, and specifically surgeons, have unique expectations and responsibilities regarding professionalism. Further, surgeons interact with multiple different groups of people including surgical peers, trainees, other physicians, ancillary care partners, and patients. Communication between all of these groups must be respectful, appropriate, and effective, even in the high-stress environment of surgery. Norms of professional behavior are evolving to reflect the practices of the current era as well as the increasingly diverse surgical workforce. Thus, multiple surgical societies as well as the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education have incorporated professionalism as a core pillar of surgeon evaluation. While professionalism has typically been modeled, the trait is now being more formally taught in medical education pathways. Future directions for professionalism in surgery include validated modules, more formalized surgeon review, linkage to credentialing, and reimbursement.