Surgeons have greeted the 16th edition of the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP® 16) with accolades, saying that the newest version builds on SESAP’s legacy of excellence and relevance to practice. SESAP is entering its 46th year, and surgeons still find it an invaluable resource to help them remain current. The following comments from SESAP 16 users highlight the utility of the newest edition, which can be reviewed at the SESAP exhibit in the , San Diego Convention Center, Lobby D, Ground Level.
- “SESAP has always been my favorite way of staying abreast of current surgical thinking.”
- “SESAP is good for lifelong studying with intriguing and ever-changing questions.”
- “I have used most versions since 1982 and find them invaluable for trying to keep up on what is happening.”
- “This edition of SESAP is truly excellent because it is all about applying critical new information to daily clinical practice.”
- “SESAP is the best CME [Continuing Medical Education] that I get on a regular basis.”
Launched in October 2016 by the American College of Surgeons (ACS)Division of Education, SESAP 16 features completely new, peer-reviewed educational content covering 14 major areas of general surgery. This edition includes more questions than previous editions—a total of 850 multiple-choice questions—each supported with a concise critique, and references to related medical literature. Topics include trauma; patient safety/systems of care; problems in related specialties (pediatrics, thoracic surgery, urology, and obstetrics); endocrine; vascular; abdomen; alimentary tract; breast; head and neck; oncology; perioperative care; surgical critical care; skin/soft tissue; and legal/ethical issues.
“While CME opportunities and Maintenance of Certification requirements continue to evolve, SESAP remains a constant educational activity for general surgeons,” said John A. Weigelt, MD, DVM, FACS, Medical Director, SESAP. “SESAP 16 allows participants opportunities to review the core domains of general surgery. It’s a self-assessment exercise for participants to complete at their own pace based on their own interests. SESAP questions continue to be written by ACS Fellows who strive to blend evidence and experience into an activity that supports lifelong learning.”
The authors of SESAP 16 include 48 practicing surgeons representing a range of clinical and academic environments, general surgery and surgical specialties, and practices from every region of the U.S.
“SESAP 16includes an innovative self-assessment and guided cognitive skills education model, which is specifically designed to promote excellence and expertise. The iterative model reinforces learning and supports mastery of content,” said Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, Director, ACS Division of Education.
Participants seeking CME credit complete a self-assessment and review process, followed by a CME test. Up to 90 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM can be earned by completing SESAP 16 and achieving a minimum score of 80 percent in each category. Credit may be claimed by individual category across years, or credit may be claimed once for the entire program.
The CME version of SESAP must be completed on the web, and participants choose at the time of purchase whether to receive a supplemental print copy after completion. For surgeons who are not interested in obtaining CME credit, several non-CME packages are available (web, web and print, or print).
SESAP 16 will be available for CME credit through October 31, 2019, and the program will be online for study purposes through December 31, 2019.