Health Services Research Methods Course

The Health Services Research Methods (HSRM) Course is offered to clinical and health services researchers with varying degrees of experience in the field. In addition to didactic lectures and skills-based labs tailored to individual interests, participants will have one-on-one consultations with leading experts focused on their specific research questions. In addition to quantitative and qualitative methods, participants will become familiar with mixed methods and implementation science. Breakout sessions will focus on writing R-award and K-award proposals and securing a first faculty position. Participants will engage in active discussion of scientific and practical aspects of ongoing surgical health services research from leaders in the field.

Educational Objectives

• Provide a primer on the core methodologies in outcomes and health services research, along with their applications in surgery.
• Help surgeons manage, analyze, and interpret information from clinical registries and administrative databases.
• Provide surgeons with practical advice on developing an outcomes research agenda and academic careers in this area.

The program features lectures, labs, and breakout sessions in:

• Fundamentals of health services research
• Designing high-level observational studies and assessing validity
• Working with administrative data and clinical registries
• Managing and analyzing large datasets
• Faculty research in progress
• Career-building strategies
• Proposal writing
• Securing first faculty position
• Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods
• Implementation science
• One-on-one consultations to discuss participants' research

About the Course

All sessions will be held at the American College of Surgeons headquarters located at 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL. Due to the program's intensity, the course will begin early in the morning each day and no free time is allocated. All attendees are expected to remain until the conclusion of the course in order to receive the maximum CME credit designated for this program. Spouses of attending guests are NOT permitted to participate in any of the events.

The attire for the meeting is business casual. Participants are required to bring their own laptops. All course communications will be administered electronically throughout the program, including live updates from faculty and staff.

Housing Information

A course housing room block has been reserved at the Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel, located within the ACS headquarters building. A special course rate is $199 per night, plus tax, is available for attendees, which includes internet access. Reservation requests will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and must be received by Friday, November 3, 2023. Requests received after the deadlines are subject to rate and availability.

Reservations may be made by calling the hotel directly at 312-787-1234 or online.

*All attendees must identify themselves as a participant of the ACS Health Services Research Method Course to receive the group rate. 

Airfare

The ACS has arranged special meeting discounts on United Airlines. These special discounts are available by booking with United directly or online. Purchase your ticket online at united.com and receive a discount off the lowest applicable fares. Please enter ZVEA734025 to receive your discount when booking online. 

United Airlines
800-426-1122
ACS Z Code:  ZVEA
Agreement Code: 734025

Course Fee and Registration

The course fee is $2,875 for members and $3,175 for non-members. The fee includes tuition, course materials, and meals; daily continental breakfasts, lunches, refreshment breaks, a reception and group dinner. Participants are responsible for transportation and travel costs, hotel charges, and remaining meals. Attendance is limited and preference is given to members of the American College of Surgeons.

Accreditation

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME and Self-Assessment Credit

The American College of Surgeons designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Sponsored by the Surgical Research Committee, Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care.

Cancelations and Refunds

Cancellations will be issued for written requests received by October 15, 2023. A $50 handling fee will be retained for all refunds. Registrants who cancel after the October 17 deadline will not receive a full refund unless an alternate from the course’s official waiting list can be confirmed. Cancellations should be submitted via email to Registration Services at registration@facs.org.

Course Faculty

Gretchen Schwarze, MD, FACS, University of Wisconsin – Course Director

Arden Morris, MD, FACS, Stanford University – Associate Director

Shipra Arya, MD, FACS, Stanford University

Giana Davidson, MD, FACS, University of Washington

Lesly Dossett, MD, University of Michigan

Amir A. Ghaferi, MD, MSc, MBA, FACS University of Michigan

Andrew Ibrahim, MD, University of Michigan

Rachel Kelz, MD, FACS, University of Pennsylvania

Ira Leads MD, MBA, Yale University

Nader Massarweh, MD, FACS, Emory University

Lisa McElroy, MD, Duke University

Ryan Merkow, MD, FACS, University of Chicago

Alex Sox-Harris, Stanford University

What previous attendees have said about the Outcomes Research Course:

“The course opened me up to opportunities particularly related to qualitative research and patient-reported outcomes that I hope to incorporate into my research.”

“I feel that I have better tools and resources to initiate outcomes research projects. This program exposed me to avenues and research protocols that would never have occurred to me.”

“One of the best CME courses I have attended—Ever!”

“Exceptional course that went a step beyond simply providing specific content to meet objectives. We had access to experts in the field in a very open, unintimidating learning environment.”

“I entered this course with the desire to learn how to do my single center retrospective reviews better. I left with the ambition to build a research line directed towards seeking grant funding to better understand health care decision processes for our patients.”