Surgery News - September 2008 - (Page 7) SEPTEMBER 2008 • SURGERY NEWS 7 THE THE E Plastic Surgery Education Expands to Meet Demand for Greater Expertise BY DOUG BRUNK 20/20 / 0/20 V SION O SIO SION IO Else vier Global Medical Ne ws hanges in plastic surgery training that will take effect on July 1, 2009, mean that residents enrolled in independent programs will need to complete 3 years of concentrated plastic surgery education, while 6 years will be required for those in integrated programs sanctioned by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) following receipt of an MD or DO degree. That is the most common paradigm for integrated programs; only four programs require 5 years, according to the ACGME. These changes reflect a shift to more uniform standards in light of the expanding knowledge and skills required of plastic surgeons. “Plastic surgery continues to innovate, and these innovations drive the need for a greater knowledge base,” Dr. Robert Havlik, chair of the ACGME’s Residency Review Committee for Plastic Surgery (RRC-PS), said in an interview. The field has seen major refinements in reconstruction, including breast reconstruction, as well as in craniofacial, hand, and aesthetic surgery, and bariatric reconstruction. Changes in training related to the adoption of the 80-hour work week and changes in general surgery training requirements over the past 2 years also “had implications for the plastic surgery candidate,” said Dr. Havlik, an ACS Fellow with the division of plastic surgery at Indiana University, Indianapolis. The RRC-PS identified 21 main areas of expertise that were important for plastic surgery trainees, and defined the knowledge base and technical skills necessary within each area. After examining plastic surgery training paradigms from programs based in Canada and in the United Kingdom, the RRC-PS concluded that more than 2 years of training are required, Dr. Havlik explained. Other changes mandate that sponsoring institutions support program directors “with a minimum of 15% protected time, which may take the form of direct or indirect salary support, such as release from clinical activities provided by the institution, for programs with one to six residents. Programs with more than six residents shall provide the program director with a minimum of 25% protected time.” For program coordinators, the new requirements mandate 0.5 fulltime equivalent for programs with up to six residents and 1.0 full-time C equivalent for programs with more than six residents. “While we recognize that there are cost implications, our primary concern is the satisfactory education and the development of technical expertise of the plastic surgery trainee,” Dr. Havlik commented. Dr. Linda G. Phillips, an ACS Fellow who directs the integrated residency program in plastic surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, called the changes historic. In 2004 her program shifted from a 5-year integrated paradigm to a 6-year paradigm. “Some of our resi- dents need that additional maturation and repeated exposure to plastic surgery that you only get with additional time.” Go to www.acgme.org to view the changes. Click on “review committees,” then on “plastic surgery,” then on “program requirements.” ■ New InfoV.A.C. Therapy System ® Better by Design The Next Generation of V.A.C.® Therapy The InfoV.A.C.® Therapy System delivers the same positive outcomes you trust – but is now simpler and more efficient than ever.* Easier to Use. Designed with busy clinicians in mind. Simpler Training. Designed to be easier to learn, improving proficiency. Better Information. Designed to provide consistent wound progress tracking. Better by Design www.InfoVACTherapy.com • 1-800-275-4524 *As compared to V.A.C. ATS® Therapy Note: Specific indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and safety tips exist for this product and therapy. Please consult Product Instructions for Use prior to applications. ©2008 KCI Licensing, Inc. All rights reserved. KCI USA, 8023 Vantage Drive, San Antonio, TX 78230. All trademarks and service marks designated herein are the property of KCI and its affiliates and licensors. The V.A.C.® (Vacuum Assisted Closure®) System and most KCI products are subject to patents and/or pending patents. http://www.acgme.org http://www.InfoVACTherapy.com http://www.InfoVACTherapy.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Surgery News - September 2008 Surgery News - September 2008 Contents Appreciation Low Scores News From the College: New Leader Practice Trends: High Price to Pay Surgery News - September 2008 Surgery News - September 2008 - Contents (Page 1) Surgery News - September 2008 - Contents (Page 2) Surgery News - September 2008 - Contents (Page 3) Surgery News - September 2008 - Appreciation (Page 4) Surgery News - September 2008 - Low Scores (Page 5) Surgery News - September 2008 - Low Scores (Page 6) Surgery News - September 2008 - Low Scores (Page 7) Surgery News - September 2008 - News From the College: New Leader (Page 8) Surgery News - September 2008 - News From the College: New Leader (Page 9) Surgery News - September 2008 - News From the College: New Leader (Page 10) Surgery News - September 2008 - Practice Trends: High Price to Pay (Page 11) Surgery News - September 2008 - Practice Trends: High Price to Pay (Page 12) Surgery News - September 2008 - Practice Trends: High Price to Pay (Page 13) Surgery News - September 2008 - Practice Trends: High Price to Pay (Page 14) Surgery News - September 2008 - Practice Trends: High Price to Pay (Page 15) Surgery News - September 2008 - Practice Trends: High Price to Pay (Page 16)
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