Thank you for attending the SAGES 2020 Annual Meeting and for your interest in the Fundamentals programs.
Are you looking for more information on one of our exams? Do you need a copy of your certificate? Do you have questions about how to retake your exam? The answers to most of your questions can be found below; however, feel free to reach out to us directly for more information or for individual answers to your specific question via phone or email at 310.437.0544 ext. 143 or support@sages.org.
The Fundamentals programs consist of three separate educational programs and exams:
Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS)
The FLS program contains a comprehensive, web-based, educational module; a hands-on, skills training component; and a two-part, assessment tool that are designed to teach the physiology, fundamental knowledge, and technical skills required in basic laparoscopic surgery.
The FLS program content has been endorsed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is a joint educational offering of SAGES and ACS. FLS is CME accredited and has been mandated by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a prerequisite to completing their respective Board Exam applications.
Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES)
The FES program is the flexible endoscopy equivalent of the FLS program and sets a validated standard of understanding and skill in those studying flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. It is comprised of a web-based, educational module and a two-part assessment.
FES has been mandated by the American Board of Surgery as a pre-requisite to completing their Board Exam application.
Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE)
The FUSE program is comprised of an interactive, web-based, multimedia-enhanced, didactic curriculum and an online, multiple-choice exam designed to certify that an individual possesses the knowledge fundamental to the safe use of surgical energy-based devices in the operating room, endoscopy suite, and other procedural areas.
FUSE is both CME and CEU accredited.
Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS)
The FLS program contains a comprehensive, web-based, educational module; a hands-on, skills training component; and a two-part, assessment tool that are designed to teach the physiology, fundamental knowledge, and technical skills required in basic laparoscopic surgery.
The FLS program content has been endorsed by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and is a joint educational offering of SAGES and ACS. FLS is CME accredited and has been mandated by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology as a prerequisite to completing their respective Board Exam applications.
Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES)
The FES program is the flexible endoscopy equivalent of the FLS program and sets a validated standard of understanding and skill in those studying flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. It is comprised of a web-based, educational module and a two-part assessment.
FES has been mandated by the American Board of Surgery as a pre-requisite to completing their Board Exam application.
Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE)
The FUSE program is comprised of an interactive, web-based, multimedia-enhanced, didactic curriculum and an online, multiple-choice exam designed to certify that an individual possesses the knowledge fundamental to the safe use of surgical energy-based devices in the operating room, endoscopy suite, and other procedural areas.
FUSE is both CME and CEU accredited.
The FLS exam is two parts: a computer-based, multiple-choice question test and a practical test consisting of five skills performed on the FLS Trainer Box. The exam takes about 2 hours to complete.
The FES exam is also a two-part exam consisting of a multiple-choice test administered via computer plus a hands-on, skills test which is administered using a 3DSystems GI Mentor simulator. The entire exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
The FUSE exam consists solely of a computer-based, multiple-choice exam which takes 60-90 minutes to complete.
The FES exam is also a two-part exam consisting of a multiple-choice test administered via computer plus a hands-on, skills test which is administered using a 3DSystems GI Mentor simulator. The entire exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
The FUSE exam consists solely of a computer-based, multiple-choice exam which takes 60-90 minutes to complete.
No, we are not conducting any virtual testing in conjunction with the SAGES virtual meeting.
FES and FUSE test vouchers can be purchased online at www.surgicalfundamentals.org. For FLS, the order form can be found at www.flsprogram.org.
Limbs & Things, Inc., manufactures and sells FLS boxes and accessories. Visit them on their special FLS website at www.fls-products.com.
To learn more about these virtual reality simulators please contact your 3D Systems – Simbionix representative or email Chad Osinski, Director of Sales, Healthcare at chad.osinski@3dsystems.com.
Contact the Fundamentals staff at 310.437.0544 ext. 143.
Contact the Fundamentals staff at 310.437.0544 ext. 143.
There is a $125 fee to retake the FLS or FES exam, the retest fee for FUSE is $100. FES and FUSE retest vouchers can be purchased online at www.surgicalfundamentals.org. For FLS, the order form can be found at www.flsprogram.org.
Contact the FLS staff at support@sages.org or at 310.437.0544 ext. 143.
For further information on FLS visit www.flsprogram.org
For further information on FES visit www.fesprogram.org
For further information on FUSE visit www.fuseprogram.org