ASE Pre-Meeting Courses

Presented by the Clerkships Directors & Clerkship Coordinator Committees

Course Description:
Formerly known as “Troubleshooting Your Clerkship”. This pre-meeting course is an annual venue for new and continuing surgery Clerkship Directors and Clerkship Coordinators to discuss and learn all aspects of the surgery core clerkship in undergraduate medical education. This one-day program will include panel discussions, half-hour topic areas with discussion, and three 15-minute updates after lunch. The four content areas will be:
• Preparing the students for surgery clerkship
• Understanding the current trends in undergraduate medical education
• Obtaining support for both the clerkship directors and coordinators in order to run a successful surgery clerkship
• Supporting Students (accommodations, learning resources, and wellness)

Between sessions there will be smaller sessions giving updates relevant to Clerkship Directors and Coordinators such as updates for ASE/ACS Medical Student Core Curriculum; NBME Workgroup; and WISE MD.

Presented by the Faculty Development Committee

Course Description:
This course is designed to give the participants the fundamentals to get started in an academic career in surgical education. Designed to meet the career needs of all levels from residents to junior faculty, this course will offer tangible strategies and lessons learned from leaders in Surgical Education. This course will define an academic surgery educator (job description), describing the necessary educational skills to obtain, overcoming challenges, developing tools to promote skills, and achieving academic productivity. The course will highlight the various opportunities and resources available to develop an academic career in surgical education. Working groups will be used to facilitate discussion and development of a teaching portfolio.

Presented by the Vice Chair of Education (VCE) Committee

Course Description:
Within Departments of Surgery around the country, the addition of a Vice Chair of Education (VCE) to the leadership team is becoming increasingly necessary and common. Yet, the role of the VCE within that Department is somewhat nebulous, owing in part to its novelty as a position as well as the individual needs of the department and programs that it supports. This workshop was designed with the current VCE, aspiring VCEs, and program leadership in mind, such that all categories of educators may benefit from its content. This is also a course meant to appeal to returning attendees, as the content is updated each year.  With an engaging agenda using different interactive formats, this workshop will aim to stimulate dialogue among attendees, inspire new ideas and provide ongoing leadership development.  

Objectives:

• To prepare new and current VCE’s for their role within the educational leadership of a Department of Surgery.
• To provide non-VCE attendees with opportunities to understand the role in terms of career and department development.
• To provide attendees with concrete skills and strategies to navigate relationships unique to the role of a VCE.
• To facilitate the sharing of experiences between educational leaders.

Presented by the Assessment, Curriculum, and Evaluation (ACE) Committee

Course Description:
This highly interactive half-day pre-meeting course uses a case-based approach to the fundamentals of teaching. It is designed for those taking on a new teaching role or who would like to enhance their abilities as a clinical teacher. The session will cover teaching in the operating room, giving feedback, and using simulation. Participants will leave with new skills, knowledge, and energy they can apply to their learners.

Objectives:

• Contrast reinforcing and redirecting feedback
• Apply scaffolding to a surgical procedure
• Employ goal setting for a clinical encounter

Presented by the Simulation Committee

Course Description:

Methods:
Simulation is an effective method to teach leadership and mentorship skills through experiential learning and deliberate practice. This course will present important leadership, mentorship and coaching concepts and corresponding skills using a combination of didactic content and simulation-based activities. Skills to be practiced in the simulated environment include mentorship, coaching, communication, and conflict management in difficult situations, and managing emotional intelligence. Learners will practice and respond to simulated scenarios in a safe but challenging environment designed to manage their own emotions while interacting with a trainee or staff member under various clinical circumstances. Participants will evaluate aspects of team performance to differentiate effective and ineffective methods in relation to leadership, mentorship, and coaching.

Conclusion:
Leadership, mentorship, and coaching skills are essential to the surgeon and can be both learned and practiced in a small group setting using simulation. Becoming an effective leader will enhance teaching ability and communication with staff and patients. Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to apply these skills to their daily workflow regardless of their current leadership role