Teaching Surgery Through Immediate Preoperative Small-Group Discussions

Immediate preoperative small-group discussions provide a structured model for contemporary surgical education. The discussions provide an opportunity for collaborative learning that integrates the individual and collective development of technical and nontechnical surgical skills, including leadership and teamwork. Important academic and life-long learning skills are also developed to facilitate a seamless transition toward becoming an independent surgeon. In addition, the model can play a vital role in optimizing surgical efficiency and ensuring patient safety by serving as a comprehensive surgical safety checklist, reconfirming the definitive surgical plan.