Programs and Tools

• Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS)

  Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) is a comprehensive education module that includes a hands-on skills training component and assessment tool designed to teach the physiology, fundamental knowledge and technical skills required in basic laparoscopic surgery.
  
  The goal is to provide surgical residents, fellows and practicing physicians an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery in a consistent, scientifically accepted format and to test cognitive, surgical decision-making and technical skills – all with the goal of improving the quality of patient care.
  
  FLS was designed for surgical residents, fellows and practicing physicians to learn and practice laparoscopic skills to have the opportunity to measure and document those skills. The FLS test measures cognitive knowledge, case management skills and manual dexterity. The FLS program content has been endorsed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is a joint educational offering of SAGES and ACS. FLS is also CME accredited and is now a requirement by the American Board of Surgery for Board Certification.
  

  For additional information on FLS or to register for an exam at our facility, please visit the FLS website.

• Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES)

  The SAGES Fundamentals of Endoscopic SurgeryTM (FES) program is a comprehensive educational and assessment tool designed to teach and evaluate the fundamental knowledge, clinical judgment and technical skills required to perform basic gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic surgery (endoscopy). Our goal is to provide participants with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of endoscopic surgery in a consistent, scientifically accepted format, and to test cognitive and technical skills – all with the goal of improving the quality of patient care.
  
  FES was designed for medical and surgical residents, fellows, practicing general surgeons, gastroenterologists and other physicians to learn and test basic endoscopic skills required to form a foundation in the practice of flexible endoscopy. FES is meant to set a validated benchmark of understanding and skill in basic endoscopy.
  
  The educational module consists of a web-based multimedia presentation of didactic content. The FES test measures cognitive knowledge and judgment, and uses a virtual reality platform to evaluate fundamental technical skills. Those who successfully complete both the educational and assessment components will have demonstrated the basic knowledge, judgment and technical skills fundamental to the performance of endoscopic surgery.                               
  

  For additional information on FES or to register for an exam at our facility, please visit the FES website.

• Fundamentals Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE)

  The SAGES Fundamentals Use of Surgical EnergyTM (FUSE) is an educational program comprised of an interactive web-based multimedia-enhanced didactic curriculum and an online multiple choice cognitive exam. The program is being designed to certify that a successful candidate has the demonstrated knowledge fundamental to the safe use of surgical energy-based devices in the operating room, endoscopic suite and other procedural areas.
  
  Anyone may purchase a voucher and take the exam. This includes allied health care professionals, medical students, non-medical professionals and others with less than one year of clinical experience in the operating room. However, the exam is recommended for licensed physicians (including MD, DO and MBBS), surgical technicians and nurses who have at least one year of operating room experience. Reviewing the FUSE online didactic material, paying the CME/contact hour fee and completing the accreditation exam provides up to 12 CME credits/continuing education nursing contact hours.
  

  For additional information on FUSE or to register for an exam at our facility, please visit the FUSE website.