Commentary: “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same”

Abstract

sinus sutures for an aortic valve replacement you only loaded the needle once and nailed it. During training, I also thought a lot about how to maximize the learning potential from each case. Before each case, I would write down what I wanted to do well or improve on. After each case, I would ask the attending for specific aspects that could be improved, and then I also wrote down items that I wanted to do better. Clearly, not all people learn by writing and visually seeing diagrams drawn out, or writing down things before and after each case, but being intentional about your training and trying to progress through and as a result of each case is key. Also, asking for feedback from your attending after each case on how you can improve shows your interest in becoming a better surgeon. This engages them, and sometimes you'll be surprised what they say-things you may never have noticed. You can also offer to dictate the case; this helps you review the specific steps of the case. So why don't residents practice/prepare more or at least discuss it? Perhaps in part it appears uncool or weaklike those "closet gunners" in medical school who pretended that they didn't study. Those who practice or prepare, admit that they don't have it all down. Frankly, we are in training because we need to learn-if we knew how to do it already, we wouldn't be in training. Certainly, time during See Editorial page 2340.