Developing Leaders in Surgical Residency: A Curriculum for Success

Objective: As surgical residents continue in their training, they are expected to not only take part in more complicated procedures, but to also serve as leaders in their respective care teams. While surgical skills are intensively taught in surgical residency programs, leadership is often learned informally, to the detriment of residents. Our curriculum was developed and implemented to provide foundational knowledge for surgical residents as they take on senior roles so that they may successfully act as leaders. This educational workshop was effective and efficient and can be applied at other residency programs that seek to improve the leadership skills of their residents. Design: Implementation of a 3-day program focused on leadership, surgical skills, and career development to provide rising PGY-4 surgical residents with the abilities necessary for successful training. Setting: This program was implemented at the University of Minnesota General Surgery residency program. Participants: Rising PGY-4 general surgery residents. Results: The program consisted of a 3-day workshop which all rising PGY-4 residents participating in before transitioning into their respective roles. The program was led by the general surgery faculty. Conclusions: Curricula focused on developing leadership skills in residents can be effectively applied in a time-efficient manner that can benefit the residents as they move into official leadership roles on the care team.