Journal of surgical education
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Within the surgical community, it is commonly accepted that the length and cost of a surgical case increase when a resident physician participates. Many accountable care organizations, however, believe the opposite, that is, resident assistance enhances efficiency and diminishes operative time. The purpose of this study is to determine the opportunity cost to the attending surgeon for intraoperative teaching during index plastic surgery cases. ⋯ Resident involvement in the operating room is crucial to the education of independent surgeons. This involvement, however, comes at a significant opportunity cost to the attending surgeon. As an incentive to retain academic surgeons and uphold a quality academic environment in the OR, compensation should be offered for intraoperative teaching.