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Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons February 2023
The February issue of the ACS Bulletin includes a cover story on delivering difficult patient conversations, as well as features on regenerative medicine research, liver transplantation for metastatic colorectal cancer, how to organize a skills competition, and the new Surgical Chairs Playbook.
In this issue:
Executive Director’s Update
Making Members’ Voices Heard through Leadership and Advocacy
Dr. Patricia Turner highlights legislative developments, and also offers a reminder that members should take advantage of opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership and advocacy skills: “Surgeons work tirelessly to fulfill—and advocate on behalf of—their patients’ needs. Developing and enhancing our leadership and advocacy skills are essential as we move into a new Congress.”
Features
Delivering Difficult Patient Conversations Is a Skill to be Learned, Practiced
Breaking bad news to patients and their families is complex and one of the most sensitive tasks in medicine. Few professional interactions create more anxiety, worry, and deep concern. “If giving difficult news feels easy, you probably aren’t doing it right,” says Dr. Kimberly Kopecky.
Passion for Athletics, Past Injury Inspire Surgeon’s Research in Regenerative Medicine
As an undergraduate at Stanford University, Dr. Ashley Titan suffered a serious wrist injury. The recovery process stoked her interest in surgery and would lay the groundwork for her ACS Foundation-supported research in regenerative medicine.
Liver Transplantation for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Pushes Treatment Boundaries
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US, with as many as 50% of patients developing colorectal liver metastasis at some point in their disease course. In recent years, the field of transplant oncology has gained interest and “is showing great promise.”
Surgical Skills Competition Teaches Vital Lessons
Gamification, through competition, can encourage increased trainee participation in simulation—a model that has been shown to accelerate the learning curve and improve dexterity and efficiency. The authors share tips and tricks on how to organize a skills competition.
Surgical Chairs Playbook Offers Proven Strategies for High-Performance Leadership
The Surgical Chairs Playbook— designed to help surgeon leaders feel more confident when transitioning into the role of surgical chair—is now available. This comprehensive collection of innovative leadership strategies, evidence-based practices, personal experiences, and advice is a must-read, according to its four surgeon editors
Viewpoints
Ethical Concerns Grow as AI Takes on Greater Decision-Making Role
Mobile Device Application Helps Predict Postoperative Complications
Reports
Quality Improvement Initiative Takes on Smoking among Cancer Patients
ACS NSQIP Data Provide Insight on Blood Product Use
Retained Surgical Items Bundle May Help Reduce Patient Harm
News
End-of-Year Funding Bill Is Packed with ACS Legislative Victories
ACS, NDMS Deliver Record-Breaking STOP THE BLEED Training
Top JACS Articles in 2022 Make Scientific Impact
Members in the News
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 Jennifer Bagley at jbagley@facs.org
- For technical questions, please contact us at Learning@facs.org.
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.
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
You may enroll in the online learning course free of charge.
You will be asked to register for the course and provide information to complete the registration process.
Once you have completed the registration process, an email will be sent to you with the confirmation and course login information.