SESATS IX Update
With the expected release of SESATS X by mid- summer, Penn State College of Medicine will not be able to issue CME credit for SESATS IX after June 30, 2009. If you wish to received CME credit for SESATS IX, please finish and submit SESATS IX before that date.
Penn State College of Medicine designates this educational activity (SESATS IX) for a maximum of 70 AMA Category 1 Credit(s) TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
SESATS Survey
The American Board of Thoracic Surgery is currently planning the publication of the next two versions of SESATS. Currently, SESATS is distributed on a USB flash drive, but the Board is considering making it available as both a desktop and as a USB flash drive based program. The desktop version would be obtained with a downloaded immediately after purchase. The Board would like to hear from its Diplomates about their preference and to assess the capability of the computer systems Diplomates have at their office and/or home. We ask that you complete this brief survey (Click Here). This information will be help the Board determine the method in which to design the next two versions of SESATS.
Maintenance of Certification
In response to an initiative by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the ABTS began Mainenance of Certification® (MOC) in January 2008. MOC replaces the former Recertification Process. Detailed information about the MOC requirements can be found in the right-hand box on this page or Click Here.
MOC is intended to give the public assurance that certified specialty physicians are maintaining high standards of clinical care throughout their career. For that reason, the Board requires that all Diplomates, including those who were certified before 1976 and hold life-time certificates, participate in MOC.
New Certification Pathways and Operative Requirements
In response to current practice patterns in Thoracic Surgery and to insure adequate preparation for contemporary Thoracic Surgery practice, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery has revised the standards required of individuals to qualify for entrance into its certification process. Starting in July 2007, the Board now has two primary pathways to certification, a Cardiothoracic Surgery Pathway and a General Thoracic Surgery Pathway. For more information on the new pathways and operative requirements, Click Here.
New Congenital Heart Surgery Certificate
The Board will be offering a subspecialty certificate in Congenital Cardiac Surgery starting in 2009. For more information on the requirements and application process, Click Here.
Certification Categories
As recommended by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the ABTS has recently redefined its clinically active and clinically inactive status. For a full description of these two categories, Click Here.