Modern Strategies for Remediation and Faculty Support

Surgeons at all stages of training and practice may be found to be deficient in one or more domains of practice. The formal process for addressing these deficits is known as remediation. Remediation efforts should be individualized to the physician in question based upon the competency(ies) requiring remediation and the underlying reasons for the physician's difficulties. In this article, we outline the six competencies that may require remediation, signs that a physician may be deficient in each, and specific strategies for assessing and remediating them. Additionally, we outline a process for determining the need for intervention, addressing this with the struggling physician, developing a remediation plan, implementing the plan, and evaluating its success. Although this process can be difficult given the stigma surrounding physicians who need remediation, especially in surgery, it is frequently successful. To facilitate successful remediation, institutions can focus on gathering granular and broad feedback, fostering a supportive culture, and educating faculty on its utility and implementation.