WS42 - 06: DEFINITION OF ROLE OF VICE CHAIRS FOR EDUCATION IN SURGICAL DEPARTMENTS ASE GRADUATE SURGICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Mohsen Shabahang, MD; Geisinger Health System
Committee on Graduate Surgical Education

Introduction: Surgical education has a more prominent role in both university based and independent Departments of Surgery around the nation. As a result, the number of Vice-Chairs for Education (VCE) has increased.  This role has variable definitions, job descriptions, qualifications, scope of influence and levels of effectiveness. The position also has variable responsibilities and functions, with VCE serving as an integrator, education leaderand scholar. The literature on the role of VCE is still in an early phase.  The purpose of this workshop is to review the literature and to engage the audience in further cataloguing how VCE are utilized in different institutions. 

Learning Objectives: By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Describe the literature on the role of VCE in surgical departments
Discuss the variable roles that VCE fulfill in different institutions
Enumerate avenues for collaboration among institutions with a VCE or those planning to create the position

Methods: This will be an interactive session led by the ASE Graduate Surgical Education Committee (45 minutes). Teaching methods include didactic presentation, participant activity, and group discussion. The outline is as follows:

Part 1: Background – Review of literature on the role VCE (5 minutes)

Part 2: Didactic presentation – Descriptions of the role of VCE – Clinical, Administrative, Teaching and Education (10 minutes)

Part 3: Group discussion – What are the different experiences with the position of VCE? What are the qualifications and funding sources? What are success stories and opportunities for improvement?     (20 minutes)             

Part 4: Conclusion – Lessons learned about the role VCE and next steps in a collaborative study to bring more consistency to the role (10 minutes)                                                            

Conclusion: As Surgical Education has become a more important and resource-consuming element of the mission of Departments of Surgery, the role of VCE has become more important.  This workshop will attempt to bring clarity to the position and establish common descriptions for the role.