Simulation to support transitions in the careers of surgical trainees and surgeons

Transitions during the careers of surgical trainees and surgeons may be associated with risks that have the potential to negatively impact delivery of safe and effective patient care and the professional standing of individuals involved in delivering care. Simulation-based education interventions that address specific needs during the transitions can be very helpful in mitigating the risks. These interventions should be based on contemporary educational frameworks and strategies relating to teaching, learning, and assessment. Simulation-based education programs should be used to address the broad range of cognitive, technical, and nontechnical skills, and highly individualized educational interventions, such as preceptoring, proctoring, mentoring, and coaching, employed to yield the best outcomes. The programs should include competency-based or mastery-based methods to ensure that surgical trainees achieve proficiency and surgeons achieve expertise leading to mastery, which should be the aspirational goal for all surgeons. Faculty development is key to supporting these educational endeavors. The American College of Surgeons Division of Education has developed and launched a spectrum of innovative simulation-based education programs that address transitions in the careers of surgical trainees and surgeons. These programs focus specifically on the transition from medical school to surgery residency, transitions during the core period of surgery training, the transition from surgery training to surgical practice, and transitions during the core period of surgical practice. An innovative program to accredit simulation centers has been established and is aimed at developing and implementing effective simulation-based education models, promoting collaboration among simulation educators and across institutions, advancing the field of surgical simulation through scholarship, and training future leaders in surgical simulation. These accredited simulation centers are called American College of Surgeons-accredited Education Institutes. An innovative American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators has been established to recognize preeminent surgeon educators and engage them in advancing surgical education and providing mentorship to mid-career surgeon educators. Surgical simulation is a major domain of focus for the Academy. The simulation-based education programs of the Division of Education aim to promote excellence in surgery and continue to establish new standards and benchmarks.