SAGES (The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons), aware of the vital role of endoscopy and minimal access surgery to patient care, has developed and implemented an educational program to help surgeons improve outcomes for patients who require these procedures. The expected results of the program are that surgeons will: 1) improve their knowledge and understanding of gastrointestinal and related diseases 2) learn or develop strategies to identify effective current and emerging technologies and techniques in endoscopic and minimal access surgery; 3) become competent to perform and teach the appropriate surgical techniques and new technologies; and 4) measure the effectiveness of their use of new techniques and technologies by documenting patient outcomes.

The scope of the educational programs will be designed to meet the needs of the members of the Society and will include the cognitive and technical aspects of gastrointestinal and minimal access surgery including diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, videoendoscopic surgery, and emerging technologies and minimal access techniques. Efforts will also be directed toward developing educational curricula for practicing surgeons and surgeons who teach fellow surgeons or surgeons in training.  Educational programs will utilize both traditional and innovative methods of transmission of new information.  Some programs may be developed in conjunction with other organizations.  Educational activities will target knowledge and performance gaps of surgeons in the field and will be delivered in the context of sustaining, improving, and assessing the core competencies held by SAGES members. 

The target audience will be surgeons in clinical practice, research and academic surgery, and surgeons in training. 

The educational activities and services will include scientific sessions, symposia, didactic postgraduate courses, hands-on laboratory training that includes cognitive and skills assessment, enduring materials in printed and electronic formats, and the most currently available internet-based technologies.

SAGES goals are to enhance the knowledge and skill of practicing surgeons in the field and to improve the delivery of patient care in gastrointestinal and endoscopic surgery.

STATEMENT APPROVED BY THE SAGES BOARD OF GOVERNORS
4/9/08

(Revision of 10/27/91, 10/9/96, 01/25/00, 06/29/01, 11/05/01, and 10/19/05 Statement.)