OVERVIEW OF THE 2008 COURSE: 

The third biennial Outcomes Research Course will be offered by the ACS Surgical Research Committee November 14-16, 2008.  This course is designed for clinical and health services researchers with varying degrees of experience in the field of outcomes research and participants are able to select modules appropriate to their skill level and interest.  Surgeons new to the field will be able to focus on didactics and skills-based labs concentrating on managing, analyzing, and interpreting large datasets.  Those with more established research agendas are able to present their research to experts for critique and advice.  All course attendees will be exposed to both scientific and practical aspects of the ongoing surgical outcomes research of leaders in the field.

2008 Registration Form (200K PDF)

The educational objectives of this course are:

• to provide a primer on the core methodologies in outcomes and health services research, along with their applications in surgery
• to help surgeons manage, analyze, and interpret information from clinical registries and administrative databases
• to provide surgeons with practical advice on developing an outcomes research agenda and developing academic careers in this area.

Participants will meet their peers, selected from surgical departments in US and Canadian academic medical centers, and have ample opportunity to network with the faculty, which includes surgeons in the forefront of outcomes research.

The program features lectures, labs, and breakout sessions in:

• Fundamentals of outcomes research
• Designing high-level observational studies and assessing validity
• Working with administrative data and clinical registries
• HRQOL Assessment, Decision Analysis/Cost-effectiveness Analysis, and Meta-analysis
• Managing and analyzing large datasets
• Critique and feedback on participants’ research
• Faculty research in progress

GENERAL INFORMATION:

All sessions will be held at the American College of Surgeons headquarters, 633 N. Saint Clair Street, Chicago, IL.  Spouse/guest attendance is strongly discouraged.  The course begins early each day and, due to the intensity of the program, no free time is allocated.  All attendees are expected to remain until the conclusion of the course. 

Each participant must bring his/her own laptop (preferably one with wireless accessibility). Windows 98, or better with at least 128 MB Memory and 40MB Disk space are the recommended minimum system requirements. 

COURSE FEE, CANCELLATION, AND REFUNDS
The course fee is $1,995 ($1,850 early discount fee applies for completed registration forms with payment received by Friday, August 29, 2008).  The fee includes course materials, break-fasts and lunches during the course, a group reception, and one group dinner.  Participants are responsible for transportation, hotel charges, and dinner for two evenings.  Confirmation is contingent upon payment of the course fee and subject to availability.  Attendance is limited and preference is given to members of the American College of Surgeons. 

Participants who find it necessary to cancel their registration will receive a full refund, less an administration fee of $250, provided written notice of the cancellation is received by close of business on Friday, September 12, 2008.  Registrants who cancel after Friday, September 12, 2008, will not receive a refund unless an alternate from the course’s official waiting list can be confirmed.  Such refunds will be prorated based on the College’s liability.

HOUSING INFORMATION
A course housing room block has been reserved at the Wyndham Hotel, located within the College’s headquarters building.  The special course rate is $225 per night, plus 15.4% tax.  This special rate is not guaranteed after October 23, 2008.  Further information regarding travel and hotel arrangements will be mailed with notification of application acceptance, and participants will be asked to identify any special needs regarding accommodations or meals.

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION CREDIT

ACCREDITATION
The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME CREDIT
The American College of Surgeons designates this educational activity for a maximum of 19 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

2008 Registration Form (200K PDF)

2008 Course Schedule

2008 Outcomes Research Course Faculty

2006 Outcomes Research Course Bibliography

ACS CONTACT
Mary Fitzgerald, Continuous Quality Improvement, American College of Surgeons, 633 North Saint Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611; Phone 312-202-5319; Fax 312-202-5011; or e-mail mfitzgerald@facs.org.

Revised June 26, 2008

Continuous Quality Improvement

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