In 2002 a group of surgeons got together and radically changed surgical training forever. They just got together again...
They call themselves the Blue Ribbon Committee. When they met in 2002 they addressed critical issues such as residency structure, specialization, work-life balance, and simulation-based training. Now, with rapid advancements in medicine and education, BRC II has revisited these topics and introduced new priorities to ensure that surgical education meets the demands of the modern era.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Steven Stain, co-chair of BRC II and a leader in surgical education. Dr. Stain shares insights into the motivations behind the second committee, its key findings, and how competency-based education, entrustable professional activities (EPAs), and other innovations are shaping the future of surgical training.

Join hosts Pooja Varman MD, Judith French PhD, and Jeremy Lipman MD, MHPE for an engaging discussion on what surgical educators, trainees, and institutions need to know about the new recommendations from BRC II and the future of surgical education.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to
1. Under the origins and impact of the first Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC I)
2. Explain the factors that led to the formation of the BRC II and its major recommendations
3. Identify challenges and opportunities in modern surgical education
4. Discuss the role of competency-based education and EPAs in training future surgeons
5. Recognize how institutions and educators can adapt to BRC II recommendations

References
1. Recommendations on Surgical Education and Training in the United States: 2024. Ann Surg. 2024;280(4):535. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000006360 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38814074/

2. Blue Ribbon Committee II Advises Sweeping Changes in Surgical Education. ACS. Accessed January 12, 2025. https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/news-publications/news-and-articles/bulletin/2024/may-2024-volume-109-issue-5/blue-ribbon-committee-ii-advises-sweeping-changes-in-surgical-education/

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