The Curriculum
The FCS curriculum builds skills through targeted drills with feedback to prepare surgeons to engage patients and families in care decisions.
FCS is a scalable, skills-based curriculum
FCS is delivered through one two-hour session each year over the five years of a surgical residency. While the skills are repeated each year, the clinical context progresses in difficulty, building skills in parallel with the trainee’s maturity.
“This has completely changed how I get consent. This has completely changed how I think about surgery.”
– PGY1 resident, UW-Madison, 2024
We have delivered the FCS curriculum to residency programs across the country. These residents learned novel communication frameworks that helped them navigate difficult conversations and routine moments in surgical care.
How the Curriculum Works
FCS operates on a Train-the-Trainer model. Trainers learn the components of FCS and apply these skills in their own practice as they prepare to lead sessions with their trainees.
We provide trainers with all materials needed to carry out the session. This includes pre-recorded didactics, trainer and learner guides, worksheets, answer keys, scoring rubrics, card games, and administrative resources. To learn more, watch this overview video, scroll down to read our curriculum overview, and sign up to receive updates and connect with the FCS team!
Learn More: Best Case/Worst Case
Best Case/Worst Case is a framework to help surgeons talk to patients and their families about high stakes care decisions. In this video, we explain how Best Case/Worst Case can support surgeons and patients in the deliberation process.