Along a physician’s training path to becoming a surgeon, there are few, if any, formal or structured opportunities to reflect upon regret experiences. But the influences regret can have in surgeons’ practices is worth considering, given that some patients suffer poor outcomes despite surgeons’ long-term training, sound decision-making, competent practice, best efforts, and good intentions. This theme issue investigates regret as an expression of a surgeon’s moral psychological development and their deep internalization of their capacity to harm. This theme issue also considers how we should regard regret and its kindred moral emotions—loss, grief, remorse, shame, guilt—in surgical life, training, and practice.

Background image by Sara Gironi Carnevale.