The Hidden Curriculum in Paediatric Surgical Training: Empathy, Error, and Emotional Resilience in the Operating Room

Abstract Background: Paediatric surgical training extends beyond technical proficiency; the hidden curriculum influences professional identity formation [1,2]. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological inquiry among 26 trainees used Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework [3]. Results: Themes emerged around role-modelling, silence around error, and resilience shaped through experience and mentorship. Conclusions: Integrating structured debriefing and emotional skills training may address harmful elements of the hidden curriculum [1,4].