New EBRS modules released monthly!
EBRS Introduction
What is Evidence Based Reviews in Surgery? (EBRS)
Evidence Based Reviews in Surgery (EBRS) was developed to foster critical appraisal skills in practicing surgeons and trainees in order that they may evaluate surgical literature and practice Evidence Based Surgery. This requires some knowledge of study design, statistics, outcomes assessment (such as quality of life), meta-analysis, decision analysis, and cost effectiveness. Every month, we conduct a “virtual” journal club, evaluating articles focused on treatment effectiveness, causation, risk factors, prognosis, diagnostic tests and practice guidelines. At the conclusion of each EBRS module, EBRS members will ideally enhance their knowledge and skills to critically appraise the surgical literature.
Critical appraisal skills are discussed in our online community, with the evaluation of important surgical papers as the focal point. We evaluate 8 clinical articles per years from the general surgical literature are presented (with occasional “bonus” article discussions of studies hot off the presses. The articles are chosen because they highlight important clinical issues, and employ a variety of methodologies that surgeons will encounter. Each module will include commentaries written by internationally recognized clinical and methodologic experts from our global panel of experts. Our members can review the article before these commentaries are released and join our online forum for a stimulating discussion by members of our community.
What are the benefits of EBRS?
There are several reasons to participate in EBRS:
- Medical knowledge and technology are changing rapidly. Surgeons must be able to access and evaluate the current literature in order to evaluate these new techniques and thus, provide optimal care for their patients and use health care resources wisely.
- Participation in EBRS is free to all members of CAGS. EBRS is a practical, straightforward way for busy surgeons to learn critical appraisal skills and increase their clinical knowledge on their own time but in an interactive way.
- EBRS provides an opportunity for you to discuss common surgical problems with colleagues across Canada and the United States including experts in the field
- EBRS has been shown to be an effective way of teaching critical appraisal skills to practicing General Surgeons.
- Participants have provided positive feedback and found EBRS to be interesting, useful and fun!
- EBRS allows access to approximately ten online journals including: Annals of Surgery, Canadian Journal of Surgery, Canadian Medical Association Journal, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Journal of American College of Surgeons (JACS), New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Lancet and Surgery.
- Participants can obtain Maintenance of Certification Credits.
How can I participate in EBRS?
In the fall of 2017, simply sign up and create a profile on the EBRS website using the same email as your CAGS account. There is a fee per module, however as an active CAGS member you are eligible to receive a yearly membership for free. Use coupon code: cags2017 at checkout and you will be able to access both the new modules to be released this fall, as well as past modules.
The Canadian Association of General Surgeons has covered 2017-18 membership costs for all of its members, so membership is free for CAGS members in good standing.
EBRS is available to all members of the Canadian Association of General Surgeons.
What is available on the EBRS Site?
- Monthly Articles – Articles available for the current year’s on-line discussion which runs from October-May
- Current Reviews – Critiques completed by methodological and clinical experts for the October-May packages
- Archives – Previous packages from the year 2000 to present and an Index section with links to articles related to methodological and clinical topics
- Evaluation – Monthly on-line evaluation to be completed by participants to obtain RCPSC MOC credits.
- Posttest – Five multiple choice on-line questions to completed by participants to obtain RCPSC MOC credit.
- User Guide – Gives step by step instructions on how to navigate through the EBRS site
If you require more information:
Ms. Marg McKenzie RN CCRP
Administrative Coordinator-EBRS
Zane Cohen Centre for Digestive Diseases
Sinai Health System
Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Centre
60 Murray St. L3-010
PO Box. 23
Toronto, ON M5T 3L9
416-586-4800 x8348
(fax) 416-586-5932
Marg.McKenzie@sinaihealthsystem.ca
Accreditation
The Canadian Association of General Surgeons approves EBRS as an accredited group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. CAGS designated this activity as a Maintenance of Certification Category 1 Credits for a maximum of 6 credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.