The newly released advanced edition of the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP®), SESAP 18 Advanced, is attracting the attention of practicing surgeons seeking additional, in-depth educational content that addresses complex and evolving topics.
SESAP subscribers catalyzed the creation of SESAP Advanced, and the response to the new modules has been enthusiastic.
SESAP 18 Advanced provides peer-reviewed educational content for surgeons interested in specialized and nuanced information using 332 newly constructed, multiple-choice, case-based questions across seven modules—abdomen; alimentary tract; breast; endocrine; melanoma, skin, sarcoma; surgical critical care; and trauma and emergency general surgery.
Participants will find the format familiar, with each question followed by a critique addressing each correct and incorrect answer option. The modules explore topics more deeply than the corresponding SESAP 18 categories and address topics that may have been beyond the scope of the more general SESAP 18 content.
“SESAP 18 Advanced is an outstanding educational program aimed at promoting expertise in seven critical domains in general surgery. The program has been specially designed to address complex and evolving concepts to promote lifelong excellence in surgery,” said Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, Director of the ACS Division of Education.
Evolving Content and Controversial Topics
SESAP 18 Advanced was written by 41 expert practicing surgeons using a rigorous, multistep process of question development and peer review.
“Our goal was to be both instructive and thought provoking in the development of these questions,” explained Lorrie A. Langdale, MD, FACS, SESAP 18 Advanced Program Director. “As surgery has become increasingly specialized, so have the problems that practicing surgeon must solve. While we believe the information in SESAP 18 Advanced will be helpful to all general surgeons, these modules will be of particular interest to those whose practices are concentrated in these areas.”
Feedback from surgeons on the previous edition of SESAP led to the expansion of content areas for the new modules. A completely new module focused on melanoma, skin, and sarcoma is being offered, and advanced emergency general surgery questions have been developed and are included with trauma questions. Additionally, abdomen and alimentary tract topics have been separated into distinct modules.
Specialty sections under each module entitled “Controversies” also have been added. These questions address complicated cases or emerging topics that may not have clear answers at present. Controversy items weigh the pros and cons of various options and allow the participant to compare their responses to those of their peers in real time.
“This new feature adds a dimension to SESAP that is similar to querying other surgeons with ‘What would you do?’ Our goal with this approach is to offer supporting data for different options that may be equally valid in complex problem management,” said Dr. Langdale.
Targeted to Individual Needs
SESAP 18 Advanced modules are online and have corresponding prerequisite categories in SESAP 18. Each module may be purchased separately, allowing surgeons to target advanced content to their practice area. New for SESAP 18 Advanced, packages with all seven modules are available at a discount.
The program employs the latest web-based tools, which facilitate self-directed learning to further enhance the educational and clinical relevance of the material. Whether on desktop computers or mobile devices, learners can highlight text and use the My Advanced Library feature to create and customize folders with notes and bookmarked material for future reference.
Targeted search functionality, shared with the SESAP 18 program, offers filters and advanced strategies to provide focused, relevant results and record past searches. For those surgeons who want additional practice, custom assessments can be created to randomize questions into quizzes across content areas. Modules can be reset and completed multiple times to aid in learning and retention. Finally, the program includes peer comparisons that display comparative metrics in real time. SESAP 18 Advanced program participants can earn up to 122 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
For a breadth of knowledge aimed at the general surgeon and to fulfill SESAP 18 Advanced prerequisites, SESAP 18 offers 665 questions across nine categories: abdomen, alimentary tract, breast, emergency general surgery, endocrine, legal/ethics, perioperative care, surgical critical care, trauma. If all SESAP 18 categories are not of interest, subscribers may choose from web packages with as few as three categories, and other categories may be added at any time based on learning and practice needs. SESAP 18 participants can earn up to 168 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Whether one is a specialized surgeon seeking to stay current or a general surgeon desiring more advanced information in targeted areas, SESAP 18 and SESAP 18 Advanced are ideal educational resources.
For more information, contact the SESAP team at 312-202-5419, sesap@facs.org, or visit facs.org/sesap. In-person assistance will be offered during Clinical Congress 2023, October 22–25 in Boston. A SESAP booth will be in the registration area, and another will be within ACS Central in the Exhibit Hall.
