Online course
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are comparatively new fields and only recently have efforts begun to develop applications of these models to surgical practice and education. AI and ML models may be useful tools in predicting surgical risk to reduce unnecessary interventions for low-risk patients and in stratifying high-impact interventions for high-risk patients. Most surgeons, however, have not had the opportunity to learn about AI and ML, lack basic knowledge of these data-driven processes and systems, and are unaware of their potential applications in surgical practice.
This introductory course from the ACS Division of Education highlights the essential principles of AI and ML and their application to support decision-making and enhance surgical care. Participants will develop the foundational knowledge of the principles on which AI and ML are structured and may be able to identify opportunities for possible application of the technologies to their practices. With further development, data-driven machine intelligence most likely will be able to inform clinical decision-making and allow surgeons to more accurately assess risk, predict disease progression, and manage patients with early stages of disease.
Specific examples and algorithms illustrated in this course include
Limitations and ethical considerations of ML in practice are also presented. This course should assist surgeons and leaders in surgery departments with developing some fluency in the principles and language of AI and ML to facilitate conversations between leadership and technical experts.
The course includes the following eight online modules:
Please direct questions to pblair@facs.org.
Designed for surgeons, residents, administrators, and high-level decision-makers in surgery departments, this online course provides a fundamental understanding of the principles of AI and ML and how they can be used to improve the delivery of healthcare and surgical patient outcomes. The course focuses on case studies that illustrate the application of ML to surgery. Surgeons and department leaders interested in being able to converse with AI and ML technical experts will find the course beneficial.
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to: