Ingrid Woelfel

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University

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About

Dr. Ingrid Woelfel is a leading voice in surgical education, with a focused research agenda on optimizing resident training in the rapidly expanding field of robotic surgery. Her work critically examines the tension between operative efficiency and resident autonomy, providing data-driven insights into how surgical educators can best foster trainee independence. In her pivotal 2023 study, "Is Robotic Console Time a Surrogate for Resident Operative Autonomy?" (8 citations), Dr. Woelfel challenged a common assumption, demonstrating that time spent at the console does not automatically equate to meaningful decision-making. She further explored this dynamic in "What influences general surgery residents’ prospective entrustment and operative time in robotic inguinal hernia repairs" (4 citations), identifying key factors that shape a resident’s readiness for independent practice. Her most recent work, "Behind the pattern: General surgery resident autonomy in robotic surgery" (2024, 4 citations), directly tests the hypothesis that resident seniority and surgeon experience are primary drivers of autonomy. By dissecting the nuanced interplay between trainee level, faculty experience, and operative complexity, Dr. Woelfel is providing the evidence base needed to redesign surgical curricula for the robotic era, ensuring that the next generation of surgeons is both competent and confident.