Perceptions of differences in graduated autonomy between male and female surgical residents

Abstract

The fundamental objective of surgical residency programs is to prepare physicians for certification by the American Board of Surgery and to meet the competency requirements of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.1 Whether pursuing a surgical fellowship or going directly into practice, postresidency physicians are expected to competently and independently manage standard surgical cases.2 Graduated autonomy (GA) achieved by the final year of surgical residency training—or operative autonomy upon graduation from residency—is thus paramount in ensuring patient safety and should be carefully monitored within surgical residency programs.