In this commentary, we explore the need for academic physicians to balance the needs of their patients and of learners during surgery. We approach this discussion from the perspective of the duty of care to the patient and reflect on methods to respect this duty of care but still maximize the educational experience of the learner without jeopardizing the patient's health. We also identify pedagogical methods to facilitate this balance, both in routine situations and during unforeseen events.
Keywords: Surgical education; guided development; mental imagery; scrub sink huddle.
Copyright © 2016 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.