IntroductionThere is a growing recognition of incorporating non-technical skills during the training process of a surgeon, as a strategy to increase their future professional performance. There is a gap in the educational methodology used. A panoramic review of the literature is carried out to identify the status, gaps and research opportunities. MethodsPanoramic review of the literature with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Studies that addressed instruction, measurement, outcome evaluation, and the educational impact of non-technical skills on residents were analyzed. ResultsThe studies analyzed were carried out between 2012 and 2021. The skills studied were situational awareness, decision making, communication, teamwork, and leadership. There are studies on validation of instruments and implementation of education models. The knowledge gaps identified were the lack of standardization of the methods used for the training and evaluation of these competencies, as well as the lack of studies in Latin America. DiscussionThe teaching of non-technical skills is a pending issue in the training of a surgeon. The relevance of the topic requires its study and incorporation into study curricula.