Surgical Case Logging-Orthopaedic Application: A Narrative Review of Methods, Evolution, and Future Direction

» Surgical case logs remain vital yet imperfect, often emphasizing volume over competency, and allowing data entry and coding inconsistencies. » Lack of standardization across programs limits comparability and weakens the role of logs as true surgical competency measures. » Case volume alone may not reflect surgical skill or autonomy, even among trainees meeting ACGME minimums. » Emerging AI, EHR integration, and intraoperative analytics promise more accurate, efficient, and educationally valuable logging. » The future is competency-based, linking procedural data with autonomy, complexity, and outcomes to better gauge readiness for independent practice.