Upcoming Dates and Locations: May 10-15, 2013:   Omni Amelia Island Plantations, Florida    registration closed            September 8-13, 2013: Stowe, VT    Green Mountain Inn, Stowe, Vermont

2014 Offerings

January – Santa Barbara, California

March – Stowe, Vermont

May -  Florida

September – Stowe, Vermont 

 

Overview

An effective surgeon in the new millennium must be competent in all aspects of clinical surgery, including communication skills. All surgeons need to be able to communicate information effectively to their peers, patients, families, faculty and examiners during oral examination process.

This very small, interactive course is designed to enhance the testing skills of surgeons preparing to take the Certifying Examination (CE) of the American Board of Surgery and impart effective communication skills to young surgeons.

Attendees are provided with exposure to the format and hotel environment of the oral examination, unlike any other review program.

The course features topic questions in the areas covered in the CE and provides individual feedback following one-on-one testing.

There are limited spaces for residents whom program directors believe would benefit from this type of training early in their careers. Reduced tuition for residents.

Course Director 2013

Pamela A. Rowland, PhD Professor of Surgery Associate Chair of Education University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Registration

Enrollment is limited, interested participants are encouraged to register early. Tuition includes educational materials, digital video copy, refreshment breaks, and lunch on days II and III.

2014 Fees: $3,400 for post-residency surgeons

Deadline for:

January program:  December 10, 2013

Enrollment for these courses is limited (16 participants). Early registration is encouraged since these small courses fill early.

Click Here for the Online Registration Form

Course Policies & Additional Information

Please click here for additional information about attending this course

Learning Objectives & Course Content

This program attempts to help each participant understand his/her strengths and weaknesses in the following areas:

• Knowledge Base
• Professional Image
• Verbal & Non-verbal Communication Skills

An intense program with a high faculty/student ratio provides practical guidance for immediate achievement in each of these competencies. Our feedback from past participants has been outstanding and those who have followed our debriefing plans have enjoyed subsequent success on the Certifying Examination.

Upon acceptance into the course, participants will receive a detailed schedule, several pre-course assignments, and a communication skills inventory.

Throughout the course, participants will receive hard copy educational materials, including strategies for improved performance on the Certifying Examination, and a personal digital video of course exercises for review and self-critique.

Strategies for effectively managing stress and exam anxiety will also be available to participants.

Publications about course methods & success

• Ten Year Results: Rowland PA, Coe N, Lang N, Greenberg G, Reed W, Spence R, Burchard K. “The effect of improving communication competency on the certifying examination of the American Board of Surgery.” The American Journal of Surgery, 2002, 183:655-658

• Twenty Year Results: Presented at the March 2011 Association of Program Directors in Surgery meeting: “The Certifying Examination of the American Board of Surgery: The Effect of Improving Communication & Professional Competency: Twenty-Year Results,” PA Rowland, TL Trus, NP Lang, HF Henriques, WP Reed, PJ Sadighi, JE Sutton, AA Alseidi, MJ Cahalane, J Gauvin, WE Pofahl, K Sartorelli, SB Goldin, AG Greenburg, Journal of Surgical Education, 2012, 69(1)

• Further Reading: 

Coe PW, Rowland PA, Burchard KW. Oral Examinations: A Survival Guide. In: Rowland PA, Lang NP, editors. Communication & Professionalism Competencies: A Guide for Surgeons. Woodbury,CT: Cine-med; 2007. p. 43-52.

Pricolo VE, Rowland PA. Professional Image: Professional Credibility. In: Rowland PA, Lang NP, editors. Communication & Professionalism Competencies: A Guide for Surgeons. CT: Cine-med; 2007. p. 131-150.

Faculty

Senior faculty are selected on the basis of academic record and clinical skills, and are NOT compensated for their participation. See full list of faculty.

Contact

For additional information about the course, please contact:

Dr. Pamela Rowland
University of North Carolina
pamela_rowland@med.unc.edu
919-843-3546

June Cameron, BA, C-TAGME
Maine Medical Center
camerj@mmc.org
207-662-4078

The meeting sponsors are not responsible for travel expenses or penalties under any circumstances.
Deadlines are strictly enforced.