Surgicom Private Practice Conference 2023

Surgicom: Preparing Surgeons for the Future

CPD ACCREDITED: 5 General & 4 Ethics Points Confirmed

The annual Surgicom Conference takes place this year on 3&4 June 2023 at the Blaauwberg Beach Hotel, Big Bay, Western Cape with the theme "Surgicom: Preparing Surgeons for the Future". The programme features an impressive line-up of speakers addressing critical issues for Surgeons in 2023.

Global healthcare issues will be the focus of presentations by Ron Whelan and Craig Getz. Phil Matley will discuss the dilemma of surgeons being charged with culpable homicide and murder and Johan Breytenbach will outline what surgeons need to know about artificial intelligence. Brian Warren will speak from his vast experience as an expert witness, detailing what is required to do this effectively and we will once again stage a "live" medicolegal case based on a HPCSA complaint with attorneys conducting the prosecution and defense. In addition to our usual session on coding, Phil Matley will present an analysis of what the impact on surgeon earnings will be if we shift our coding structure from SAMA to CPT4. Darren Sweidan will provide an update on where we are with the laparoscopic cholecystectomy global fee project. Mia Barnard, a practice manage from Mossel Bay will present original research on the perceptions of general surgeons regarding medical scheme reimbursement.

For the first time we will have two clinical sessions focusing on antibiotic issues. The debate this year centers on whether M&M meetings should be encouraged or whether the medico-legal risks outweigh the benefits. Finally, there are several practical practice management topics including firing your secretary, marketing your practice on social media, getting the most out of electronic medical records and achieving the idea work/life balance.

In addition to the academic programme, there is a full social programme including a gala dinner on the Saturday evening. As usual, attendance at the conference including hotel accommodation on the Saturday for surgeons and their partners, all meals and the gala dinner are all free of charge for Surgicom members. However, numbers are limited and a strictly first come basis will be applied with registration opening on 1 March 2023. Save the Date, register promptly and we will see you in Cape Town in June.