Ethical Issues in Surgical Innovation

Charlotte, NC US
February 18, 2026 to February 19, 2026

As surgical technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, so too do the ethical questions surrounding innovation, patient safety, and responsible implementation. This two-day course brings together leading surgeons, bioethicists, and educators for an in-depth exploration of the complex ethical issues that arise when introducing new surgical techniques and technologies. Through keynote lectures, expert panels, case-based discussions, and interactive sessions, participants will examine topics including informed consent, surgical learning curves, telesurgery, digital surgical tools, and controversial innovations such as uterine transplantation and xenotransplantation. The course also includes specialty-specific case presentations and a robust discussion of trainee education in surgical ethics. Designed for practicing surgeons, surgical educators, ethics consultants, and health system leaders, this program offers practical tools and frameworks to help ensure ethical integrity in surgical innovation and responsible care for patients.

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Target Audience

This course is intended for surgeons.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, learners should be able to:

  1. Explain core ethical principles related to surgical innovation, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.
  2. Apply structured ethical frameworks to assess new surgical techniques and technologies. Identify potential ethical risks associated with innovations such as uterine transplantation, xenotransplantation, and telesurgery.
  3. Evaluate the adequacy of informed consent processes when introducing novel surgical interventions.
  4. Discuss the role of surgical learning curves, trainee involvement, and digital platforms in ethical decision-making.
  5. Analyze real-world case scenarios across surgical subspecialties using an ethics-based lens.
  6. Debate ethical considerations in telesurgery and remote surgical care, including responsibility and patient safety.
  7. Develop strategies to incorporate ethical education into surgical training and institutional innovation processes.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 12.00 American Board of Surgery
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
  • 12.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 12.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 12.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 12.00 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Course opens: 
10/09/2025
Course expires: 
12/26/2026
Event starts: 
02/18/2026 - 6:00am CST
Event ends: 
02/19/2026 - 11:00am CST
Cost:
$1,000.00
Part of: 
IRCAD North America
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
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IRCAD NA
905 Baxter St.
Charlotte, NC 28204
United States

Faculty

Activity Director(s): Catherine Frenkel, MD; Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute

 

Disclosure

Faculty disclosures are being reviewed and will be presented to the audience in advance of the program.

 

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, Advocate Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Credit Statement

American Medical Association (AMA) 
Advocate Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 12.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Board Recognition Statement

American Board of Surgery (ABS)
Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

Available Credit

  • 12.00 American Board of Surgery
    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME and Self-Assessment requirements of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
  • 12.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Aurora Health Care is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Aurora Health Care designates this activity for a maximum of 12.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 12.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
    • 12.00 Approved AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Price

Cost:
$1,000.00
Please login or register to take this course.

There is a fee of $1,000.00 for all to attend this conference. 

NOTE: you can only pay by credit card.

If you need to cancel or postpone your training course registration, you’re eligible for a full refund or the option to reschedule for a future course of your choice—just let us know at least six (6) weeks before the course start date. To make a request, please visit our Contact Page.

For inquiries, please contact us at [email protected].