Building Surgical Expertise Through Deliberate Practice

Objective To characterize the role of deliberate practice in the changing landscape of surgical training. Methods A review examining various applications of deliberate practice was conducted, with a focus on the surgical training space and utility of this methodology in otolaryngology residency. Results With many programs turning to simulation-based practice and other learning modalities based outside the operating room, deliberate practice is emerging as a promising method for more efficient and efficacious learning. Conclusion Identifying and addressing weak areas, maintaining motivation to continue to grow and reach new milestones, and continually responding to external feedback from instructors can lead to improvement in a variety of skills essential for success in surgical fields. Further implementation of deliberate practice methodology could improve surgical training at all levels.