About SESAP18

SESAP Program

Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP®) is a premier educational resource for practicing surgeons. The 18th edition of SESAP provides the same high-caliber, rigorously peer-reviewed content as past editions, and also offers many new features that allow surgeons to tailor their learning through SESAP to address individual needs and preferences.

What does it consist of?

SESAP 18 consists of 650 newly constructed, multiple-choice, case-based questions. Each question is followed by a thorough critique addressing each answer option, citations from current literature, and related images. This edition continues the tradition of offering unsurpassed quality educational content developed across two years by nine committees with a total of 54 practicing surgeon authors representing a range of clinical and academic environments, general surgery and surgical specialties, and practices from every region of the United States. Participants can earn up to 109 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.This edition continues the tradition of offering unsurpassed quality educational content developed across two years by nine committees with a total of 54 practicing surgeon authors representing a range of clinical and academic environments, general surgery and surgical specialties, and practices from every region of the United States. Participants can earn up to 109 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

New Tools

An array of new tools allows surgeons to leverage the breadth and depth of SESAP 18 content and find specific information in seconds. Learners can highlight text and use the My Library feature to create and customize folders with notes and bookmarked material for easy future reference. Targeted search functionality offers filters and advanced strategies to provide focused, relevant results and record past searches. To reinforce learning, SESAP 18 includes more than 162 flashcards that are linked to specific program content. For those who want additional practice, SESAP content can be reset and completed multiple times to aid in learning and retention. Finally, SESAP 18 includes peer comparisons that display comparative metrics in real time.

SESAP 18 was designed to promote excellence and expertise by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Division of Education. Whether one is seeking to stay current with the breadth of general surgery, enhance knowledge in a specific area, readily access the latest surgical knowledge, or excel on an examination, SESAP 18 is an ideal resource.

SESAP Content

The current edition consists of 650 newly constructed, case-based, multiple-choice questions. Concise critiques provide evidence-based explanations addressing all the answer choices, as well as supporting references from the current literature.

 

For the first time, SESAP will be available for purchase by category. Subscribers can choose from packages containing all 13 categories: abdomen, alimentary tract, breast, endocrine, head and neck, legal/ethics, oncology, perioperative care, problems in related specialties, skin/soft tissue, surgical critical care, trauma, and vascular surgery. If not all categories are of interest, subscribers can choose from web packages with as few as three categories. Other categories can be added any time based on learning and practice needs.

 

New in 2022 is SESAP 18 Advanced, which features additional in-depth content for surgeons seeking further knowledge in specific areas. Modules in abdomen and alimentary tract, breast, endocrine, surgical critical care, and trauma address clinical problems and areas that are complex and may be ambiguous or still evolving.

Content Categories


The following content areas are offered in SESAP 18:

 

Abdomen: 100 questions cover benign and malignant conditions of the abdominal wall and solid abdominal organs. Alimentary and abdominal categories overlap, but together provide a comprehensive review for surgeons interested in both. This category is a prerequisite for the SESAP 18 Advanced abdomen and alimentary tract module.

 

Alimentary Tract: 121 questions address benign and malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Alimentary and abdominal categories overlap, but together provide a comprehensive review for surgeons interested in both. This category is a prerequisite for the SESAP 18 Advanced abdomen and alimentary tract module.

 

Breast: 45 benign and malignant questions focus on screening, treatment, genetics, and inflammatory conditions. This category is a prerequisite for the SESAP 18 Advanced breast module.

 

Endocrine: 25 questions address thyroid and parathyroid disease, as well as other less-common diseases. The endocrine category complements the head and neck category, especially anatomy of the neck. This category is a prerequisite for the SESAP 18 Advanced endocrine module.

 

Legal/Ethics: 20 questions cover many difficult clinical situations. Topics include end-of-life decision making, social media, overlapping surgery, and health disparities.

 

Oncology: 15 items address a variety of malignancies, including melanoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma. Targeted therapy, gene expression, and risk of recurrence are also addressed.

 

Perioperative Care: 120 questions address common perioperative problems and offer current evidence to support management approaches. Topics include surgical site infections, enhanced recovery after surgery, oral anticoagulants, complications of surgery, Clostridium difficile, and difficult intubations.

 

Problems in Related Specialties: 35 questions cover pediatric surgery, thoracic surgery, urology, and obstetrics/gynecology. Pediatric and thoracic surgery predominate, including embryology, trauma, pneumothoraces, and appendicitis are addressed.

 

Skin/Soft Tissue: 24 questions focus on both infections and neoplasms of skin and soft tissue. Topics addressed include necrotizing fasciitis, melanoma, hidradenitis suppurativa, wound healing, and surgical site infections.

 

Surgical Critical Care: 50 questions cover the basics of critical care, such as ventilator management, nutrition, sepsis, transfusion care, and delirium. This category is a prerequisite for the SESAP 18 Advanced surgical critical care module.

 

Trauma: 56 questions focus on the essentials of urgent management of an injured patient, including basic resuscitation and common types of injuries and their management. This category is a prerequisite for the SESAP 18 Advanced trauma module.

 

Vascular: 24 questions focus on vascular problems a general surgeon is likely to encounter, such as management of carotid, aortic, and mesenteric and extremity vascular problems.

SESAP 18 participants who purchase a continuing medical education (CME) package can earn up to 109 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, all of which can be used for self-assessment purposes and to help fulfill requirements for CME credit. Read more about SESAP 18 CME or order SESAP.

SESAP18 Features

SESAP® 18 was created using a rigorous, multistep process of question development and peer review by 54 expert practicing surgeons. The result is an indispensable, robust learning experience based on more than four decades of SESAP tradition promoting expertise and excellence. SESAP 18 includes the following:

  • 650 newly constructed, case-based, multiple-choice questions covering 13 categories of general surgery
  • Concise critiques with evidence-based explanations for all answer options
  • Supporting references from current literature, with links to PubMed abstracts and other online references
  • Radiographic images, photographs, videos, and other educational media
  • Immediate feedback to facilitate mastery of content
  • Reset options to reuse the program for focused learning
  • Personal performance summary
  • Optimization for use on mobile devices with the same content as the desktop web version

Explore new features in SESAP 18 to reinforce learning:

 

  • Move across categories for self-directed study
  • Save notes, bookmark content, and personalize folders in “My Library”
  • Highlight text for repeat study
  • Scan 162 flashcards for reinforcement of topics
  • Access desired information quickly through targeted search functionality
  • Compare your answers and scores with peers
  • Complete practice tests with randomized questions to strengthen learning*

The web version of SESAP 18 will be available online until December 31, 2022, when the program is retired. All continuing medical Education (CME) credit for SESAP 18 must be claimed by October 31, 2022.

*CME packages only
 

Program Objectives

Participants enrolled for CME credit will be asked to read each question, select an answer, and review the corresponding critique and preferred answer. Participants will test their mastery of the content just learned by answering the same questions in a scrambled fashion and must achieve a cumulative score of 80 percent. If the score is less than 80 percent, the learner will be asked to review only the questions answered incorrectly and answer those questions again until a cumulative score of 80 percent is achieved. If a score of 80 percent correct is not achieved after the third round, the learner will be asked to start the entire section over again.

If a category has multiple parts, each part must be completed with a score of 80 percent to claim credit for the entire category. After achieving a score of 80 percent for each category, participants will be asked to complete an evaluation form and submit data to the American College of Surgeons (ACS) using the Internet. Upon successful submission, a CME certificate will be available to print. SESAP 17 is certified for credit through October 2022.

 

Disclosure Information
In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the ACS must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity (planners and authors) has disclosed all financial relationships with any commercial interest, as defined as follows:

Commercial Interest: The ACCME defines a commercial interest as any entity producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing healthcare goods or services used on or consumed by patients. Providers of clinical services directly to patients are NOT included in this definition.
Financial Relationships: Relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options, or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected. ACCME considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.
Conflict of Interest: Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of a commercial interest with which he/she has a financial relationship.
The ACCME also requires that the ACS manage any reported conflict and eliminate the potential for bias during the educational activity. Any conflicts noted below have been managed to our satisfaction. The disclosure information is intended to identify any commercial relationships and allow learners to form their own judgments. However, if you perceive a bias during the educational activity, please report it on the evaluation.

 

Planning Committee

John A. Weigelt, MD, DVM, FACS, Chair (Nothing to disclose)
Richard M. Bell, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
David C. Borgstrom, MD, MBA, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
David A. Bull, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Jeffrey G. Chipman, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Mary E. Fallat, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Jason B. Fleming, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Charles M. Friel, MD, FACS, FASCRS (Nothing to disclose)
Richard P. M. Koehler, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Lorrie A. Langdale, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Lena M. Napolitano, MD, FACS, FCCP, MCCM (Nothing to disclose)
John T. Paige, MD, FACS (Co-editor—Oxford University Press; Faculty—Health Resources and Services Administration; Co-Principal Investigator— Louisiana State University Board of Regents; Principal Investigator— Acell, Inc., Southern Group on Educational Affairs)
David A. Spain, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
James G. Tyburski, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
R. James Valentine, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Daniel Vargo, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
John T. Vetto, MD, FACS (Spouse’s employer—Genentech, Inc.; Honorarium—Castle Biotech)
Travis P. Webb, MD, MHPE, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Catherine M. Wittgen, MD, FACS (Consultant—Grafix, Organogenesis, Bristol Myers Squibb, CVRx, Inc.; Adjudicator—Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Speaker—Tactile Medical)

 

Authors
John A. Weigelt, MD, DVM, FACS, Chair (Nothing to disclose)
Richard M. Bell, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Frederic S. Bongard, MD, JD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
David C. Borgstrom, MD, MBA, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Tawnya L. Bowles, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
David A. Bull, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Clay Cothren Burlew, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Casey M. Calkins, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Jeremy W. Cannon, MD, SM, FACS (Author –Up to Date, Inc.; Reviewer—US Department of Defense CDMRP)
Jeffrey G. Chipman, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Quyen D. Chu, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Jay J. Doucet, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS, RDMS (Nothing to disclose)
Dan Eisenberg, MD, MS, FACS, FASMBS (Nothing to disclose)
Mary E. Fallat, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Jason B. Fleming, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Charles M. Friel, MD, FACS, FASCRS (Nothing to disclose)
David A. Gerber, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Nicole S. Gibran, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Uzer Khan, MD, MBBS, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Tari A. King, MD, FACS (Speaker—Genomic Health and Oncoclinicas)
Richard P. M. Koehler, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Mary R. Kwaan, MD, MPH, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Lorrie A. Langdale, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Sean J. Langenfeld, MD, FACS, FASCRS (Nothing to disclose)
COL Robert B. Lim, MD, FACS (Consultant–Up to Date, Inc.)
Fred A. Luchette, MD, MSc, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Linda L. Maerz, MD, FACS, FCCM (Nothing to disclose)
Linda W. Martin, MD, MPH, FACS (Speaker—American Society of Clinical Oncology)
David J. Milia, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Forrest O. Moore, MD, FACS (Editor—Wiley-Blackwell)
Nicholas Namias, MD, MBA, FACS, FCCM (Nothing to disclose)
Lena M. Napolitano, MD, FACS, FCCP, MCCM (Nothing to disclose)
Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, MS, FACS (Stockholder—Alphabet, Inc.; Celgene Corporation; Baidu, Inc.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Intrexon Corporation; Edwards Lifesciences; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals)
John T. Paige, MD, FACS (Co-editor—Oxford University Press; Faculty—Health Resources and Services Administration; Co-Principal Investigator— Louisiana State University Board of Regents; Principal Investigator— Acell, Inc., Southern Group on Educational Affairs)
Sharla Gayle Patterson, MD, MBA(HOM), FACS (Speaker’s bureau—Invuity, Inc.; Myriad Genetics, Inc.; Focal Therapeutics, Inc.; Medtronic; Committee member and course co-chair—American Society of Breast Surgeons)
Jasmeet S. Paul, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Daryl P. Pearlstein, MD, FACS (Consultant—Intuitive Surgical, Inc.)
Tam N. Pham, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Walter E. Pofahl II, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Trent D. Proehl, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Paul J. Schenarts, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
David G. Sheldon, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Shayna L. Showalter, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Timothy R. Siegel, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
David A. Spain, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Lance E. Stuke, MD, MPH, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Kiran K. Turaga, MBBS, FACS (Consultant—Caris Life Sciences, Castle)
James G. Tyburski, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
R. James Valentine, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Daniel Vargo, MD, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
John T. Vetto, MD, FACS (Spouse’s employer—Genentech, Inc.; Honorarium—Castle Biotech)
Tracy S. Wang, MD, MPH, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Travis P. Webb, MD, MHPE, FACS (Nothing to disclose)
Catherine M. Wittgen, MD, FACS (Consultant—Grafix, Organogenesis, Bristol Myers Squibb, CVRx, Inc.; Adjudicator—Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Speaker—Tactile Medical)

 

Consultants
Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME (Nothing to disclose)
Patrice Gabler Blair, MPH (Nothing to disclose)

 

Staff
Julia C. Dudek, MPH (Nothing to disclose)
Chrysa M. Cullather, MS (Nothing to disclose)
Katherine M. Greenock, MS (Nothing to disclose)

 

Education Credits of Excellence
Education Credits of Excellence are entirely optional and are designed to encourage further learning and to challenge surgeons who want to pursue a higher level of recognition. For each SESAP category, surgeons who achieve a score of 100% on the first attempt of the CME Test will be recognized with Education Credits of Excellence for that category. Surgeons are able and encouraged to study the items in the self-assessment portion as much as they wish prior to taking the CME test. Those surgeons who achieve 100 percent on the first attempt of the CME test for a category (or each part for categories with multiple parts) will receive a certificate for Education Credits of Excellence for that category. Education Credits of Excellence are being offered by the ACS Division of Education, as supported by the ACS Board of Regents. Certificates for Education Credits of Excellence may be accessed in the SESAP 17 web program.

 

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Accreditation
Through an agreement between the American College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, MOC Program participants may record completed self-assessment programs or simulation activities developed and accredited by the American College of Surgeons in Section 3 of the Royal College's MOC Program. Please note that in order to qualify for the Royal College Section 3 MOC, learners must participate in CME-eligible SESAP packages.

Technical Requirements

Hardware/Software Requirements
The minimum system requirements for SESAP® 17 and SESAP 17 Advanced include the following:*

  • Operating systems: Mac 10.12+; Windows 8; iPad iOS 11+
  • Browsers: Chrome 70+, Internet Explorer 11 and Edge40+, Firefox 60+, Safari 12+; cookies and JavaScript must be enabled; cookies and pop-up windows must be enabled
  • Processor: 2 GHz or faster 32-bit or 64-bit
  • Memory: At least 4 GB
  • Screen resolution: 1024 × 768 for iPad; optimal screen resolution is 1280 × 1024 or better
  • Mobile operating systems: Apple iOS 11.0+; Android 8.0+


*Performance on other browsers or platforms may vary. While the site functions best in modern browsers, it is possible to access the content in older browsers. For best performance and security, please upgrade your system to meet the minimum browser requirements. Adobe Reader is also required for the Self-Scoring Booklet (NonCME version of SESAP 17) and CME certificate (CME version of SESAP 17 and SESAP 17 Advanced).

Contact SESAP

Customer Support
For technical support or if you have questions regarding SESAP®, contact:

SESAP
Division of Education
American College of Surgeons
633 North Saint Clair Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60611-3295 USA
Phone: 312-202-5419
E-mail: sesap@facs.org


Advisory Committee on SESAP
Goals of the on the Advisory Committee on SESAP
Provide the overall direction to the Surgical Education and Self-Assessment Program (SESAP).
Assume responsibility for both the design and content of SESAP.
Ensure relevance of the content of SESAP and effectively address the educational needs of surgeons in a variety of competency domains.
Support the efforts of surgeons to remain current with the breadth of knowledge and cognitive skills needed to practice skillfully.
Explore opportunities to introduce innovative educational methods and technologies into SESAP.
Evaluate the educational outcomes of SESAP.
Advisory Committee on SESAP Roster

 

Consultants
Ajit K. Sachdeva, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME
Director, ACS Division of Education

Patrice Gabler Blair, MPH
Associate Director, ACS Division of Education

 

Staff
Julia Dudek, MPH
Senior Manager, SESAP

Chrysa Cullather, MS
Senior Medical Editor, SESAP and Review Courses

Katherine Greenock, MS
Administrator, SESAP

The Advisory Committee on SESAP welcomes your comments. Please contact Dr. Ajit Sachdeva, at asachdeva@facs.org.