APDS Presidential Address

Abstract

My goal today is to make an argument that the APDS: is at a crossroads because of unprecedented changes; is in a great position to succeed; seeing the need for change we should nevertheless act consistent with our longstated principles/goals as we negotiate this new path we need to be resolute, bold and brave; the path I hope to convince you of, and which is the subject of this talk, is EQIP (Educational Quality Improvement Project). We humans are in a time of cataclysmic change that rivals fire, the wheel, and the printing press. This change, the digitization of data, allows the collection of vast troves of data that allows healthcare system consolidation, more and more physician oversight, and the subsequent demand for business-like efficiency in the healthcare space. Dramatic changes like this creates collateral damage and can be frustrating for those that live through it. If the APDS is doing its job, we should be able to help Program Directors with these frustrations. The purposes of the APDS since its inception in 1977 is to: provide a forum for the exchange of information related to postgraduate surgical education; maintain high standards of surgical residency training; provide advice, assistance, and support to program directors; encourage research into all aspects of the education and training of surgeons; and represent the interests of program to other organizations. As we look to the future, I think 2 of these purposes should be paramount-research and advocacy. Research and advocacy are the cornerstones of EQIP. Research and advocacy can be linked by one word-truth. We need to seek the truth. We seek truth by collecting and analyzing data. We cannot hide from it, no matter where it leads us. We cannot shy away from the complexity of the search for truth no matter how difficult the process may be. EQIP is a continuous learning quality improvement program run by program directors for program directors to allow for data-driven innovation in surgical education and to allow data-informed conversations about the future of general surgery. EQIP will have a data gathering interface, a data repository and will have data analytics capability and data reporting platform. We are about to begin a 2-year proof of concept journey. So, in this time of great change and momentous challenge why should the APDS answer the bell? We should answer the bell for 4 reasons. We should answer the bell because engagement is a tool of resiliency, engagement solves frustration, and engagement is an antidote to burn-out. We should answer the bell because it gives us a chance to dramatically improve surgical education. We should answer the bell because we are in a great position to do this heavy lift. We should answer the bell because engagement is fun.

Keywords: advocacy; continuous learning quality improvement program; educational quality improvement project.