title: Surgical competence.
abstract: Recent high-profile cases have heightened the need for a formal structure to monitor achievement and maintenance of surgical competence. Logbooks, morbidity and mortality meetings, videos and direct observation of operations using a checklist, motion analysis devices, and virtual reality simulators are effective tools for teaching and evaluating surgical skills. As the operating theater is also a place for training, there must be protocols and guidelines, including mandatory standards for supervision, to ensure that patient care is not compromised. Patients appreciate frank communication and honesty from surgeons regarding their expertise and level of competence. To ensure that surgical competence is maintained and keeps pace with technologic advances, professional registration bodies have been promoting programs for recertification. They evaluate performance in practice, professional standing, and commitment to ongoing education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Nivritti G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: Stephen W K
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis