Advanced Distributed Learning in Support of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) of Surgical Skills

Maintenance of certification and clinical competence for deployed medical personnel presents formidable challenges. For this project, SimQuest will combine the general surgical training needs of deployed surgeons into an advanced distributed learning (ADL) platform that will meet their maintenance of certification (MOC) requirements in a usable, compelling, and engaging fashion and be extensible to civilian surgeons. With the guidance of an expert panel, a detailed assessment of specific end-user needs and constraints was developed to guide a plan that can be accepted by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The goal will be to provide a technology-based solution for surgeons to maintain cognitive expertise in their area of specialty while deployed, with the solution being transferable to civilian surgeons. The planned deliverable is a fully functioning, course composed of four or five engaging case scenarios on breast disease case management that present varying degrees of difficulty. This approach will lead to development of a set of templates and/or tools for case management scenario generation. The project will meet a global professional and societal demand for accountability in ensuring quality surgical care, and will bring value to end user surgeons, regulatory agencies, and society at large.