In this episode of The Cutting Edge, Dr. Jamie Coleman hosts Dr. Eileen Bulger, a past AAST President, to discuss the complexities of trauma surgery. They explore the importance of maintaining calm in chaotic situations, the dynamics of teamwork in the operating room, and the lessons learned from challenging cases. Dr. Bulger shares a poignant story about a young girl who was accidentally shot, highlighting the effectiveness of trauma systems and the collaborative effort required to save lives. The conversation emphasizes the significance of finding meaning in both positive and negative outcomes in the medical field.

In this episode, Dr. Kristan Staudenmayer discusses the critical intersection of healthcare economics and trauma surgery. She emphasizes the need for surgeons to understand financial aspects to advocate effectively for their patients. The conversation explores the role of the Healthcare Economics Committee, the challenges posed by Relative value units (RVUs) in measuring surgical work, and the importance of building tools for advocacy in healthcare economics.

Takeaways

• Surgeons often lack training in healthcare economics.
• Understanding finance empowers better patient care.
• RVUs do not accurately reflect the work of acute care surgeons.
• Financial literacy is essential for effective advocacy.
• Value in healthcare is a complex and multifaceted concept.
• Billing practices need improvement among surgeons.
• The workload of trauma surgeons is often invisible to others.
• Advocacy tools are being developed for better communication with leadership.
• Research is needed to address workforce issues in acute care surgery.

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Dumas discusses his journey to becoming an Associate Member of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and the benefits of involvement in the organization. He highlights the importance of engagement, networking, and leadership development for early-career surgeons. Dr. Dumas emphasizes the value of community support and the opportunities available for surgical residents, fellows, and attending surgeons within 7 years of completing training to join and contribute to the AAST.