General Thoracic Surgery

Course Description

The objective of this course is to provide an in-depth review of a wide range of topics in general thoracic surgery, with an emphasis on current principles of management and surgical techniques. The scope of the course will be detailed enough for current practitioners and broad enough to serve as an update in thoracic surgery. Learning formats include lectures, panels, pro-con sessions and Q&As along with small group discussions and case presentations. We have added additional case-based modules on both Thursday and Friday to solidify the previous related presentations using an Audience Responses System to work through common thoracic surgery challenges. There will also be two breakout breakfast sessions with three or four faculty members each on Friday morning. These sessions will deal with the specific management of challenging problems and cases in thoracic surgery. At the conclusion of the course, the participants will be able to apply practical information gained into their clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Diagnose, stage, and select proper management for patients presenting with complex medical conditions including lung cancer, esophageal cancer and thymic tumors.
• Determine when to use induction therapy appropriately.
  Perform the correct operation in a standardized manner.
• Diagnose and treat postoperative complications of common thoracic surgery problems including lung nodules and lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymomas, airway problems, pleural space problems, and metastatic disease.
• Review the recent literature and incorporate relevant updates into practice.

Target Audience

This course is targeted to Physicians and Physician Assistants who practice in Surgery and Thoracic Surgery.

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

The course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Professionalism
• Systems-based Practice

IOM Competencies

The course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine (IOM) Competencies:

• Employ Evidence-Based Practice