This Division of Education publication lists the critical cognitive, clinical, and technical skills needed to help new surgical residents be better prepared for their first year of residency training. The first section addresses the essential areas of knowledge and skills that surgical residents should possess at the beginning of the first year of residency education. The second section lists the essential areas of knowledge and skills expected of residents at the completion of the first year.

The document lays the groundwork for education and training in all surgical specialties and includes contemporary topics in surgery within the context of the six core competencies identified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (medical knowledge, patient care, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice). In addition, heavy emphasis has been placed on patient safety issues.

The “Essentials” publication, which replaces the “Prerequisites for Graduate Surgical Education: A Guide for Medical Students and PGY-1 Surgical Residents, ” should be helpful to medical students interested in surgery, surgical residents, and residency program directors. The spiral-bound publication fits in a lab coat pocket for easy reference, and also is available as a downloadable file. This project was supported by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Grant U18 HS12021 and is free of charge.

Download Successfully Navigating the First Year of Surgical Residency: Essentials for Medical Students and PGY-1 Residents