Truth and Truthiness in Surgery

Jeffrey Matthews, MD, Dallas B. Phemister Professor of Surgery Chairman, Department of Surgery Surgeon-in-Chief The University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences This activity is designed for UW Department of Surgery faculty, residents, and all surgeons and clinicians in Wisconsin and across the country interested in learning about the surgical decision-making process and evidence-based practice in surgery. As defined by the American College of Surgeons, surgeons are expected to study and evaluate new procedures and to become competent and proficient with advances that are appropriate. Technical skill alone is not sufficient to qualify a surgeon to perform new procedures. Procedural skills must be acquired within the context of in-depth knowledge about the natural course of a disease.