Welcome to IOPSA.net
We as surgical professionals have an awesome responsibility to our patients, colleagues and ourselves!
So what is surgical assisting all about?
How do we define Medical Professionalism?
Who are we and how do we define ourselves and the role we are expected to fulfill?
Surgical Assisting involves active participation of a trained individual who is
capable and able to assist the surgeon in completing a surgical procedure, safely and expeditiously.
A surgical assistant functions in the role of a second physician, at the operating table. Ideally this individual should be another
qualified surgeon or surgical resident, however, other licensed physicians experienced in surgical assisting would be the next choice.
Non-licensed physicians or non-physicans with additional formal training and national certification as a surgical assistant are also acceptable,
as deemed appropriate by the primary responsible surgeon, for the type and complexity of the surgical procedure.
The primary function of a surgical assistant is to assist the surgeon, provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and serve other technical functions
as designated by the responsible licensed surgeon.
It is understood and acknowledged that certification and/or licensure as a surgical assistant (and not licensed as a physician in the USA),
does not allow for any independent performance of any medical or surgical procedures, within the United States of America or its territories.
First and foremost, Medical Professionalism describes the skills, attitudes, values and behaviors
common to those, in each area, of medical specialization and/or practice.
It includes, but is not limited to, maintaining competency with ever changing global information,
knowledge and skill sets. Personal integrity, altruism, strict adherence to ethical codes of conduct,
accountability and a dedication to one's profession are what makes each of us, a true professional.
Traditionally, and until relatively recently, health care had been delivered in what can best
be described as a multidisciplinary model of teamwork. In this model, each member of the
health care team fulfilled a certain well-defined and predetermined role with little or no
overlap between the activities of the team members.
Ultimate decision-making authority rested nearly always with the physician.
With the increased utilization of Allied Health Professionals, we are finding this decision-making
authority becoming more and more blurred. This extended decision-making authority also increases
the medical malpractice risk for both the physician provider and the allied health practitioner.
As a result it is imperative that each individual constantly challenges themselves to be the
absolute best they can be, while maintaining the highest level of Medical Professionalism.
Our patients and colleagues expect and deserve nothing less!
A Strategic Alliance... now and for the future
The International Organization of Professional Surgical Assistants and the American Board of Surgical Assistants have formed a Non-Equity Strategic Alliance,
for the advancement, recognition and credentialing of all professional surgical assistants, not only in the United States of America but throughout all nations.
This and other future alliances will provide all professional surgical specialists including physicians, surgical assistants, nurses and technologists, throughout the world,
with a unifying body and common point of communications.
It has been written that:
" Medicine is, in essence, a moral enterprise, and its professional associations should
therefore be built on ethically sound foundations. At the very least, when physicians
form associations, such occasions should promote the interests of those they serve.
This, sadly, has not always been the case, when economic, commercial, and political
agendas so often take precedence over ethical obligations. The history of professional
medical associations reflects a constant tension between self-interest and ethical ideals
that has never been resolved.(1)"
Under Construction / Page to be continued:
We as surgical professionals have an awesome responsibility to our patients, colleagues and ourselves!
So what is surgical assisting all about?
How do we define Medical Professionalism?
Who are we and how do we define ourselves and the role we are expected to fulfill?
Surgical Assisting involves active participation of a trained individual who is
capable and able to assist the surgeon in completing a surgical procedure, safely and expeditiously.
A surgical assistant functions in the role of a second physician, at the operating table. Ideally this individual should be another
qualified surgeon or surgical resident, however, other licensed physicians experienced in surgical assisting would be the next choice.
Non-licensed physicians or non-physicans with additional formal training and national certification as a surgical assistant are also acceptable,
as deemed appropriate by the primary responsible surgeon, for the type and complexity of the surgical procedure.
The primary function of a surgical assistant is to assist the surgeon, provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and serve other technical functions
as designated by the responsible licensed surgeon.
It is understood and acknowledged that certification and/or licensure as a surgical assistant (and not licensed as a physician in the USA),
does not allow for any independent performance of any medical or surgical procedures, within the United States of America or its territories.
First and foremost, Medical Professionalism describes the skills, attitudes, values and behaviors
common to those, in each area, of medical specialization and/or practice.
It includes, but is not limited to, maintaining competency with ever changing global information,
knowledge and skill sets. Personal integrity, altruism, strict adherence to ethical codes of conduct,
accountability and a dedication to one's profession are what makes each of us, a true professional.
Traditionally, and until relatively recently, health care had been delivered in what can best
be described as a multidisciplinary model of teamwork. In this model, each member of the
health care team fulfilled a certain well-defined and predetermined role with little or no
overlap between the activities of the team members.
Ultimate decision-making authority rested nearly always with the physician.
With the increased utilization of Allied Health Professionals, we are finding this decision-making
authority becoming more and more blurred. This extended decision-making authority also increases
the medical malpractice risk for both the physician provider and the allied health practitioner.
As a result it is imperative that each individual constantly challenges themselves to be the
absolute best they can be, while maintaining the highest level of Medical Professionalism.
Our patients and colleagues expect and deserve nothing less!
A Strategic Alliance... now and for the future
The International Organization of Professional Surgical Assistants and the American Board of Surgical Assistants have formed a Non-Equity Strategic Alliance,
for the advancement, recognition and credentialing of all professional surgical assistants, not only in the United States of America but throughout all nations.
This and other future alliances will provide all professional surgical specialists including physicians, surgical assistants, nurses and technologists, throughout the world,
with a unifying body and common point of communications.
It has been written that:
" Medicine is, in essence, a moral enterprise, and its professional associations should
therefore be built on ethically sound foundations. At the very least, when physicians
form associations, such occasions should promote the interests of those they serve.
This, sadly, has not always been the case, when economic, commercial, and political
agendas so often take precedence over ethical obligations. The history of professional
medical associations reflects a constant tension between self-interest and ethical ideals
that has never been resolved.(1)"
Under Construction / Page to be continued:
So what is surgical assisting all about?
How do we define Medical Professionalism?
Who are we and how do we define ourselves and the role we are expected to fulfill?
Surgical Assisting involves active participation of a trained individual who is capable and able to assist the surgeon in completing a surgical procedure, safely and expeditiously.
How do we define Medical Professionalism?
Who are we and how do we define ourselves and the role we are expected to fulfill?
Surgical Assisting involves active participation of a trained individual who is capable and able to assist the surgeon in completing a surgical procedure, safely and expeditiously.
A surgical assistant functions in the role of a second physician, at the operating table. Ideally this individual should be another
qualified surgeon or surgical resident, however, other licensed physicians experienced in surgical assisting would be the next choice.
Non-licensed physicians or non-physicans with additional formal training and national certification as a surgical assistant are also acceptable,
as deemed appropriate by the primary responsible surgeon, for the type and complexity of the surgical procedure.
The primary function of a surgical assistant is to assist the surgeon, provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and serve other technical functions as designated by the responsible licensed surgeon. It is understood and acknowledged that certification and/or licensure as a surgical assistant (and not licensed as a physician in the USA), does not allow for any independent performance of any medical or surgical procedures, within the United States of America or its territories.
The primary function of a surgical assistant is to assist the surgeon, provide exposure, maintain hemostasis, and serve other technical functions as designated by the responsible licensed surgeon. It is understood and acknowledged that certification and/or licensure as a surgical assistant (and not licensed as a physician in the USA), does not allow for any independent performance of any medical or surgical procedures, within the United States of America or its territories.
First and foremost, Medical Professionalism describes the skills, attitudes, values and behaviors
common to those, in each area, of medical specialization and/or practice.
It includes, but is not limited to, maintaining competency with ever changing global information, knowledge and skill sets. Personal integrity, altruism, strict adherence to ethical codes of conduct, accountability and a dedication to one's profession are what makes each of us, a true professional.
Traditionally, and until relatively recently, health care had been delivered in what can best be described as a multidisciplinary model of teamwork. In this model, each member of the health care team fulfilled a certain well-defined and predetermined role with little or no overlap between the activities of the team members. Ultimate decision-making authority rested nearly always with the physician.
With the increased utilization of Allied Health Professionals, we are finding this decision-making authority becoming more and more blurred. This extended decision-making authority also increases the medical malpractice risk for both the physician provider and the allied health practitioner. As a result it is imperative that each individual constantly challenges themselves to be the absolute best they can be, while maintaining the highest level of Medical Professionalism.
The International Organization of Professional Surgical Assistants and the American Board of Surgical Assistants have formed a Non-Equity Strategic Alliance, for the advancement, recognition and credentialing of all professional surgical assistants, not only in the United States of America but throughout all nations. This and other future alliances will provide all professional surgical specialists including physicians, surgical assistants, nurses and technologists, throughout the world, with a unifying body and common point of communications.
It includes, but is not limited to, maintaining competency with ever changing global information, knowledge and skill sets. Personal integrity, altruism, strict adherence to ethical codes of conduct, accountability and a dedication to one's profession are what makes each of us, a true professional.
Traditionally, and until relatively recently, health care had been delivered in what can best be described as a multidisciplinary model of teamwork. In this model, each member of the health care team fulfilled a certain well-defined and predetermined role with little or no overlap between the activities of the team members. Ultimate decision-making authority rested nearly always with the physician.
With the increased utilization of Allied Health Professionals, we are finding this decision-making authority becoming more and more blurred. This extended decision-making authority also increases the medical malpractice risk for both the physician provider and the allied health practitioner. As a result it is imperative that each individual constantly challenges themselves to be the absolute best they can be, while maintaining the highest level of Medical Professionalism.
Our patients and colleagues expect and deserve nothing less!
A Strategic Alliance... now and for the future
The International Organization of Professional Surgical Assistants and the American Board of Surgical Assistants have formed a Non-Equity Strategic Alliance, for the advancement, recognition and credentialing of all professional surgical assistants, not only in the United States of America but throughout all nations. This and other future alliances will provide all professional surgical specialists including physicians, surgical assistants, nurses and technologists, throughout the world, with a unifying body and common point of communications.
It has been written that:
" Medicine is, in essence, a moral enterprise, and its professional associations should
therefore be built on ethically sound foundations. At the very least, when physicians
form associations, such occasions should promote the interests of those they serve.
This, sadly, has not always been the case, when economic, commercial, and political
agendas so often take precedence over ethical obligations. The history of professional
medical associations reflects a constant tension between self-interest and ethical ideals
that has never been resolved.(1)"
Under Construction / Page to be continued: