Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons June 2023

The June issue of the ACS Bulletin includes a cover story on artificial intelligence in surgery, as well as features on writing a winning grant, ATLS promulgation in Ethiopia, virtual tumor boards for rural cancer patients, and highlights from the ACS Leadership Survey. 
 

In this issue: 

Executive Director’s Update 
Making Quality Improvement Frictionless and Ubiquitous 
Dr. Patricia Turner explains the importance of quality improvement in healthcare and encourages all surgeons to be advocates for quality. “We know that improving quality is imperative because serving patients to the best of our ability is the core of what we as surgeons do,” she shared.   

Features 

AI Is Poised to “Revolutionize” Surgery  
The daily barrage of news stories about artificial intelligence (AI) shows that this disruptive technology is here to stay and on the verge of revolutionizing surgical care. Surgeons should look at AI as “an opportunity to augment the great work we do more than as a threat to what we do,” said Dr. Danielle Saunders Walsh. 

Write a Winning Grant  
Adhering to good grantsmanship protocols and seeking the advice of experienced mentors can help surgeon-scientists at all stages of their careers pursue funding opportunities. Learn important details related to the three phases of approaching proposals: planning, writing, and submission. 

ATLS Promulgation Is Leading the Way for Trauma Care in Ethiopia 
The ACS supports the promulgation of its Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®) course as a way to teach a systematic approach for the care of the injured patient. This article describes the 2-year process to bring the ATLS program to Ethiopia.   
 
Virtual Tumor Boards Provide Care Access for Rural Cancer Patients 

As the world emerges from the pandemic, virtual multidisciplinary tumor boards not only have improved coordination and communication among physicians, but they also have allowed increased efficiencies with the potential to improve outcomes for cancer patients—especially in rural settings.  

ACS Leadership Survey Highlights Surgeon Compensation, APPs, Diversity, and Other Issues 
With a 63% response rate, the ACS Leadership Survey revealed information on advanced practice providers, compensation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, leadership communications, surgical volunteerism, and wellness. 

 

Reports 

New ACS Quality Framework and Toolkit Offer Organized Approach to QI 

Study Analyzes Wrong-Site Surgery Data in Medical Malpractice Complaints 

Achieving Excellence in Surgery Requires Safety and Equity 

Chapter Annual Report Pinpoints Best Practices, New Initiatives 
 

News 

Clinical Congress 2023 Registration Is Open 

New Member Benefit Helps Surgeons Negotiate Compensation 

ACS 2023 Health Policy Scholars Are Announced 

STOP THE BLEED Program Brings Bleeding Control Education to Wrigley Field 

Members in the News 

Target Audience

All members of the ACS, including: 

  • Practicing surgeons 
  • Residents 
  • Medical students 
  • 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

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Certificate of Completion
Course opens: 
06/01/2023
Course expires: 
09/01/2023

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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