Fundamentals of Surgery Curriculum

ACGME and ABMS Core Competencies

The Fundamentals of Surgery Curriculum™ addresses all six core competencies defined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). Medical knowledge and patient care are the competencies of primary emphasis.

In addition, interpersonal and communication skills and systems-based practice are addressed specifically For example, scenarios require defined interactions with other members of the surgical team and the hospital systems in order to manage patients effectively and coordinate care.

Practice-based learning and improvement is fostered as the residents assess their knowledge, expertise, and learning needs relative to each scenario. Professionalism is addressed, for example, through fostering accountability to patients and sensitivity to diverse patient populations. The Instructors’ Manual includes a page for every scenario that lists which competencies are addressed within that specific scenario.

Content development: Background

The content for the Fundamentals of Surgery Curriculum™ is based on the material in the ACS publication Successfully Navigating the First Year of Surgical Residency: Essentials for Medical Students and PGY-1 Residents developed by the ACS Division of Education. This document lists the critical cognitive, clinical, and technical skills needed as a foundation for education and training in all the surgical specialties. The Fundamentals of Surgery Curriculum Steering Committee identified the 11 modules of essential content areas, core scenarios for the modules, and authors to develop the content. Under the guidance of Curriculum Director Patricia Numann, MD, FACS, and Associate Curriculum Director Richard Welling, MD, FACS, scenarios were written by small groups of surgeon authors using the best available evidence and expert consensus. Once complete, the scenarios were reviewed by a separate group of surgeon program directors who provided comments and feedback. The feedback was then collated and used to refine the scenarios as necessary. In addition, the electronic and interactive format of the scenarios was tested and critiqued with groups of residents from across the country.

Disclaimer

The scenarios do not represent a standard of care; rather, they present safe and effective approaches to managing patients. Residents are encouraged to discuss with their program directors anything in the scenarios that varies from practice at their institutions.

Sample scenarios

To view a typical scenario from the On-Call Module Course on Postoperative Fever, click here. The Flash file may take time to download.

Click here to experience Virtual Lives…Real Decisions. An interactive scenario from the Respiratory Management Module. The interactive scenario “Virtual Lives…Real Decisions” from the Respiratory Management Module will open in a new window. Please wait a few minutes for the Flash file to load once the new window opens.

Revised February 10, 2010

Committees and Task Forces

Division of Education