Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons April 2023

The April issue of the ACS Bulletin includes a cover story on what happens after Match Day, as well as features on the comeback of whole blood, training surgeons in Sub-Saharan Africa, and global surgery and ethical dilemmas. 

In this issue:

Executive Director & CEO Update
Five Ways Surgeons Can Welcome Incoming Residents, Fellows, and New Partners
Dr. Patricia Turner details five important things to keep in mind as we welcome and celebrate the incoming class of residents, as well as new attendings and partners. “I look forward to sharing our skills, knowledge, and passion for our profession with this next generation,” she said.

Features
Set Yourself Up for Success after Match Day  
Congratulations—you matched into residency! Now what? This article outlines steps you should take in the weeks and months leading up to your residency placement, including contacting your future program director, completing paperwork, preparing to move, and finding your community. 
 
Whole Blood in Resuscitating Trauma Patients Is Making a Comeback  
Research is emerging—including the most downloaded article from the Journal of the American College of Surgeons in 2022—that shows whole blood works better for trauma patients than fractionated components of blood. This discovery is catching attention in the worlds of trauma and surgery.  
 
ACS, COSECSA Bring Quality Surgical Care to Sub-Saharan Africa  
Eash year, surgeons from across the world serve as volunteer examiners in the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) fellowship oral examination. Dr. Dan Chase recently traveled to Windhoek, Namibia, to participate and shares his thoughts on the experience.   

Globalization of Healthcare Creates Evolving Ethical Dilemmas  
Global surgery brings an added layer of complexity to the discussion of surgical ethics. To a certain extent, ethical standards for surgical care are bound by both culture and custom. This article tackles the history of global surgery and its intimate relationship with ethical dilemmas. 

Viewpoint
General Surgery Is Relevant and Rewarding 
“No other specialty prepares a surgeon for such a broad range of procedures that help patients at all stages of their lives,” said Dr. Michael Sarap, who reveals his candid thoughts about and personal experiences from his 40-year career as a general surgeon. 

Reports
Experts Answer FAQs about CPT Coding and New Hernia Repair Codes 
eIn Situ Simulation Training on Code Blues May Improve Teamwork, Code Response 
International Abstract(s) of Surgery Inspires Advances in Medical Literature 

News
ACS Cancer Conference Focuses on Teamwork, Understanding the Patient Journey 
Teletrauma Helps Advance Rural Trauma Care 
ACS-COSECSA Women Scholars Are Announced 
Proceedings Released from Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention 
ACS and Society for Vascular Surgery Launch Verification Program 
Members in the News 
ACS Endorses Equitable Enforcement of Bicycle Helmet Laws 

Target Audience

All members of the ACS, including:

  • Medical students
  • Residents
  • Practicing surgeons
  • Retired surgeons
  • Members of the surgical care team

Learning Objectives

To provide readers with information they can apply as leaders of their institutions and in their daily practices, as well as timely updates on ACS activities and initiatives.

Contact

  • For questions about the educational activity, please contact Natalie Boden at nboden@facs.org
  • For technical questions, please contact us at Learning@facs.org.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Certificate of Completion
Course opens: 
04/01/2023
Course expires: 
07/01/2023

Disclosure Information

In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity (planners and speakers/authors/discussants/moderators) has disclosed all financial relationships with any commercial interest (termed by the ACCME as “ineligible companies”, defined below) held in the last 24 months (see below for definitions). Please note that first authors were required to collect and submit disclosure information on behalf all other authors/contributors, if applicable.

Ineligible company

The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services used on or consumed by patients. Providers of clinical services directly to patients are NOT included in this definition.

Financial Relationships

Relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit.  Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected.  ACCME considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.

Conflict of Interest

Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of an ineligible company with which he/she has a financial relationship.

The ACCME also requires that ACS manage any reported conflict and eliminate the potential for bias during the educational activity.  Any conflicts noted below have been managed to our satisfaction. The disclosure information is intended to identify any commercial relationships and allow learners to form their own judgments. However, if you perceive a bias during the educational activity, please report it on the evaluation. 

Editorial Committee Disclosures

Natalie Boden, MBA - Nothing to disclose
Director, Division of Integrated Communications
 

Continuing Medical Education Credit Information

Accreditation

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

The American College of Surgeons designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

American College of Surgeons and ACGME Logos

CME Credit Claiming Information

All learners must complete the course evaluation in order to claim a CME Certificate or a Certificate of Completion. Participants may only claim a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ per month.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Certificate of Completion
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