Introducing SANS Competencies!

The Congress of Neurological Surgeons is pleased to announce the release of
SANS Competencies, a new module of SANS Lifelong Learning covering the non-clinical core competencies. This comprehensive online self-assessment test is the perfect tool to help you stay abreast of important practice management and socioeconomic developments, while earning CME right from the comfort of your home or office.

SANS Competencies uses the popular SANS Lifelong Learning format and software platform to address regulatory and legal issues, evidence based medicine, optimal team communications, professionalism, and socioeconomic issues. This new module includes 100 completely new questions as well as peer-reviewed expert critiques. Web-based learning links make it easy for users to further research specific topics.

SANS Competencies will provide practicing neurosurgeons up to 10 hours of Category I CME. Residency programs may employ SANS Competencies in order to comply with ACGME competency training requirements. Both individual and residency group licenses are available.

The Self-Assessment in Neurological Surgery (SANS) has a 25-year history in neurosurgical training, exam preparation, and Continuing Medical Education (CME). Since 2003, SANSwired has become a popular online learning resource for neurosurgical residents and practicing surgeons. What is new with SANS: Lifelong Learning?

• SANS is compatible with learning goals across the spectrum of training and practice:
  • Residency education and written boards preparation.
  • Certification and oral boards preparation.
  • Maintenance of Certification: MOC.
• SANS is a required component of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) three-year MOC cycle (Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment).
• In the future, SANS question format and clinical information will be similar in many respects to the content of the ABNS 10-year, closed book MOC examination.
• SANS contains content relevant to the “non-clinical core competencies”, which are required by the American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Medical Specialties as part of professional training and certification.
• SANS content is subject to editorial peer review and statistical analysis modeled on question vetting procedures used by the ABNS and the National Board of Medical Examiners.

• SANS can be used easily from any computer with on-line access.
• SANS users receive feedback on individual performance: globally or by topic category.
• SANS users are eligible for 24 hours of Category I CME upon completion of the program.
• Each SANS question is accompanied by a peer-reviewed expert critique.
• Each SANS question is accompanied by “instant-learning” hyperlinks to PubMed abstracts of peer-reviewed literature and other high quality, web-based learning and regulatory resources.
• SANS offers discounted institutional licenses, providing Program Directors a valuable opportunity to comply with some goals of the ACGME Outcomes Project: Core Competencies.
• SANS is created by a Board of over 20 editors and more than 60 expert contributors, representing all areas of general and subspecialty neurosurgical practice.

• SANS will release modules, SANS: Spine and SANS: Pediatrics, to correspond to specialty ABNS MOC examinations in these areas.
• SANS will release a module covering non-clinical areas of practice expertise, SANS: Core Competencies, in collaboration with the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies.
• SANS content will be periodically updated to present new material and to cover novel developments in neurosurgery and related disciplines.

• NEW USERS: Click on Enroll in SANS
• ESTABLISHED USERS: Click on Log on SANS
• QUESTIONS: Click on User Manual
• CONTACT US: Click on Contact Us
• TRY SANS: Click on SANS demo