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AATS 96th Annual Meeting

Accreditation

Statement of Need

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity around the globe. Major advances in these conditions continue to be made at a rapid pace. Improvements in diagnostic techniques as well as interventional approaches to treatment, both surgical and percutaneous, challenge the clinical practitioner to remain current. Increasingly sophisticated technology to accomplish these aims is being developed and introduced into clinical practice. Exciting advances in basic and clinical science offer opportunities for participation in scientific studies and clinical trials. All of these elements create a significant educational need for the practicing cardiothoracic surgeon. The AATS Annual Meeting fills this need through a combination of lectures, original scientific presentations and discussion forums.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the AATS Annual Meeting, through comprehensive lectures and discussions, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the latest techniques and current research specifically related to Adult Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Heart Disease, General Thoracic Surgery and Perioperative Care.
  • Select appropriate surgical procedures and other interventions for their own patients based upon results presented.
  • Incorporate the basic science developments and emerging technologies and techniques across the spectrum of cardiothoracic surgery.
  • Communicate current practice management necessary for the effective and safe delivery of patient care.
  • Translate expanded knowledge into practice for the improvement of patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Target Audience

The AATS Annual Meeting is specifically designed to meet the educational needs of:

  • Cardiothoracic Surgeons
  • Physicians in related specialties including Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, Critical Care, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Radiology, Gastroenterology, Thoracic Oncology and Vascular Surgery
  • Fellows and Residents in Cardiothoracic and General Surgical training programs
  • Health Care Professionals involved in the care of cardiothoracic surgical patients including Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Surgical Assistants and Perfusionists
  • Medical students with an interest in cardiothoracic surgery

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Accreditation

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 34.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Policy

To demonstrate compliance with requirements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), it is the policy of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery to have any individual who is in the position to control or influence the content of an educational activity (i.e. planners, faculty, authors, committee members, content reviewers, staff, and the individual’s spouse/partner) disclose all relevant financial relationships with an ACCME-defined commercial interest(s), that is, any entity that produces, markets, re-sells, or distributes health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients prior to the CME activity.

Relevant financial relationships are financial relationships in any amount that create a conflict of interest and that occurred in the twelve-month period preceding the time that the individual was asked to assume a role controlling content of the CME activity. A conflict of interest is created when individuals have both a financial relationship with a commercial interest and the opportunity to affect the content of CME about the products or services of that commercial interest. AATS has mechanisms in place to identify and resolve conflicts of interest. Relevant financial relationships, or the absence thereof, are disclosed to all learners prior to the start of the CME activity.

These requirements are designed to ensure that accredited continuing medical education (CME) provide a safe place for learning – independent of commercial interests and commercial influence- and that educational content and recommendations involving clinical medicine are evidenced-based, objective, balanced, and scientifically rigorous.

For further information on the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards of Commercial Support, please visit www.accme.org.