American College of Surgeons updates guidelines promoting surgeons’ lifelong competency
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Key takeaways:
- The American College of Surgeons updated its guidelines promoting lifelong competency and ability assessments for surgeons.
- The guidelines recommend performance testing rather than “arbitrary” age restrictions.
The American College of Surgeons released updated guidelines promoting lifelong competency and ability assessments for surgeons to enhance patient safety and preserve “physician dignity,” according to a press release.
Developed by the ACS Board of Governors Physician Competency and Health Workgroup and informed by a literature review of recent studies on the topic, the updated guidelines advocate for the physical and mental well-being of surgeons throughout their careers without the use of age restrictions, according to the release. Instead, the ACS recommends regular competency evaluations and transparent self-reporting of performance issues.
The ACS also recommends career-trajectory competency testing with ongoing professional practice evaluations, which may help identify and address potential declines in performance throughout a surgeon’s career.
“There is no evidence to support excluding surgeons based on an arbitrary age. This work seeks to provide a data-driven framework supporting the entire surgical community,” Patricia L. Turner, MD, MBA, FACS, executive director and CEO of the ACS, said in the release. “This approach aligns with our commitment to patient safety, surgeon wellness and the dignity of the profession.”
The full updated statement can be found at: https://www.facs.org/about-acs/statements/sustaining-the-lifelong-competency-of-surgeons/
Reference:
Rosengart TK, et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2024;doi:10.1097/XCS.0000000000001066.
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