News Items

The ASCRS’s first webinar, "Socioeconomic Update: What the Future Holds," is now available as a CREST® module and is eligible for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

This module will discuss the importance of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 and the Medicare Access and CHIP Authorization Act (MACRA) of 2015, and explain why these two laws will continue to change physician reimbursement over the next five years and beyond. Educating our society members on the impact the MIPS and the APM systems of payment is important as they will directly impact physician reimbursement. With the knowledge gained from participating in this webinar, members can better prepare for the significant and impending changes.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the reason for changing physician reimbursement from Fee-for-Service to Value-Based Care.
• Recall the Merit-Based Incentive Payment Systems.
• Describe how CMS is currently moving toward more bundled payments through the Alternative Payment Models.

To access this module, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

This module will include a review of pruritis ani and extramammary Paget's disease.

Upon completion of this module, participants should be able to:

1. Identify causes and risk factors for pruritis ani.
2. Describe a treatment algorithm for pruritis ani.
3. Identify and treat extramammary Paget's disease.

As a Weekly Curriculum module, it is eligible for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

To access this module, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center.

Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Check out our newest CREST® Weekly Curriculum module, Rectal Prolapse! This module offers a review of the surgical management options and outcomes for patients with rectal prolapse. Included in the module are a narrated presentation, full-text articles from Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, and a brief posttest.

Objectives:

• Describe the workup of patients with rectal prolapse and concomitant pelvic floor disorders
• Review the surgical options for rectal prolapse and discuss how patient age and co-morbidity may influence decision making
• Discuss the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of rectal prolapse and it's outcomes

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules provide a quick, easy way to refresh your knowledge on a topic and earn an hour of continuing medical education (CME) credit. Upon completion, the module is eligible for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. To access the CREST® site, please log in and click MY ACCOUNT in the top right-hand corner of the page. Click on the CREST® Online Learning Center link to enter the learning center.

CREST® Weekly Curriculum modules are free to members. Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

This module will discuss the management of anal fissure with either BOTOX® injections or lateral internal sphincterotomy.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this module, participants should be able to:

• Review rationale and techniques for BOTOX®.
• Review outcomes and adverse effects of BOTOX®.
• Review techniques of sphincterotomy.
• Compare outcomes of botox vs sphincterotomy.

As a Weekly Curriculum module, it is eligible for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
To access this module, log in at the top of this page, click on MY ACCOUNT, then follow the link to the CREST® Online Learning Center.

Not a member of ASCRS? Learn more about the benefits of membership in the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

The Anastomotic Techniques in Colorectal Surgery module includes a detailed overview of this important colorectal surgery topic.

Upon completion of this module, participants should be able to:

• Describe various anastomotic techniques.
• Explain factors that affect anastomotic healing.
• Explain technique and judgment to prevent anastomotic complications.

As a Weekly Curriculum module, it is eligible for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

The ASCRS Online Learning Center provides access to both CREST and CARSEP. Using your ASCRS website login, you will have access to up-to-date information on colorectal diseases.