Uncovering the Role of AI in Surgical Residency Training Programs

After completing medical school, to become a board-certified surgeon in the United States, trainees must complete a 5 to 7 year period of training known as residency. This time focuses on subspecialty rotations, operative responsibility, and competency evaluation. Traditionally dependent on direct supervision and hands-on experience, with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), training is changing, leading to discussions about its role in medical education. The DECODE framework provides guidance for integrating digital skills and ensuring AI supports technical abilities while also promoting professionalism, ethics, and patient centered care. This paper explores how AI impacts surgical residency training.