ACS/ASE Medical Student Simulation-Based Surgical Skills Curriculum - Comprehensive Resource - Medical School and Clinical Faculty

Oct 2, 2026

ACS/ASE Medical Student Simulation-based Surgical Skills Curriculum is a national, faculty-supported learning program developed jointly by the American College of Surgeons and the Association for Surgical Education. The curriculum offers structured, consistent training in essential surgical skills for medical students, organized by academic year and aligned to common teaching timelines. Simulation modules cover tasks from history-taking and physical exams to foundational procedures and core technical competencies. Modules include objectives, suggested readings, step-by-step technique descriptions with images, common error discussions, expert performance videos, assessment tools, and simulation lab setup guidance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

For medical school and clinical faculty

Curriculum structure and learning experience

Curriculum Content by Year

Year 1 modules

Year 2 modules

Year 3 modules

Year 4 modules

Key Curriculum Features

Objectives and suggested readings

Techniques, images, and expert videos

Assessment and simulation lab setup

Access Information

Where to find the 33 modules

ACS Learning Management System access

ACS/ASE MEDICAL STUDENT SIMULATION-BASED SURGICAL SKILLS CURRICULUM CURRENT CO-CHAIRS ROBERT D. ACTON, MD, FACS ANDRE R. CAMPBELL, MD, FACS, MAMSE CURRENT STEERING COMMITTEE SHIMAE C. FITZGIBBONS, MD, FACS MAYUR NARAYAN, MD, MPH, MBA, MHPE, FACSAMY C. SISLEY, MD, FACS SUSAN STEINEMANN, MD, FACS ACS DIVISION OF EDUCATION AJIT K. SACHDEVA, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FSACME, MAMSE PATRICE GABLER BLAIR, MPH, DrPH MICHELLE R. ARMSTRONG, MAED, MA, C-TAGME TIM HOTZE, MA KRASHINA HUDSON, MS ORIGINAL CO-CHAIRS DANIEL B. JONES, MD, FACS KATHLEEN R. LISCUM, MD, FACS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Please contact Krashina Hudson at [khudson@facs.org](khudson@facs.org) or 312-202-5335 or visit [facs.org/education/program/simulation-based](facs.org/education/program/simulation-based). FO R A L LM ED I CAL ST U D E NT S ACS/ASE MEDICAL STUDENT SIMULATION-BASED SURGICAL SKILLS CURRICULUM A COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL AND CLINICAL FACULTY The American College of Surgeons (ACS) and Association for Surgical Education (ASE) have collaborated to develop an exceptional resource for medical school and clinical faculty: the ACS/ASE Medical Student Simulation-based Surgical Skills Curriculum. This joint program is available through the ACS Division of Education and can be accessed on the ACS website. It provides faculty with a national curriculum that offers medical students: • Structured, uniform, and consistent learning experiences relating to the essential surgical skills needed by all physicians • A solid foundation for further training The simulation-based modules can be used to teach clinical skills ranging from taking a history and conducting a physical examination to performing basic surgical procedures. Topics are aligned with the year during which they are most commonly taught. ACS/ASE MEDICAL STUDENT SIMULATION-BASED SURGICAL SKILLS CURRICULUM CONTENT INCLUDES: | Y EAR 1 | Module 1: | Acute Bleeding—Packing and Tourniquet | | --- | --- | --- | | | Module 2: | Abdominal Exam | | | Module 3: | Basic Vascular Exam | | | Module 4: | Breast Exam | | | Module 5: | Digital Rectal Exam | | | Module 6: | Female Pelvic Exam | | | Module 7: | Male Groin and Genital Exam | | | Module 8: | Universal Precautions | | | Module 9: | Venipuncture and Peripheral IV | | Y EAR 2 | Module 1: | Basic Airway Management | | | Module 2: | Communication—History and Physical and Case Presentation | | | Module 3: | Foley Bladder Catheterization | | | Module 4: | Intermediate Vascular Exam | | | Module 5: | Nasogastric Tubes | | | Module 6: | Sterile Technique—Gloving and Gowning | | | Module 7: | Surgical Drains—Care and Removal | | | Module 8: | Wounds—Basic Principles | | Y EAR 3 | Module 1: | Arterial Puncture and Blood Gas | | | Module 2: | Basic Gastric Tube Placement and Care | | | Module 3: | Basic Knot Tying | | | Module 4: | Basic Splinting—A Universal Physician’s Skill | | | Module 5: | Basic Stoma Care | | | Module 6: | Basic Suturing | | | Module 7: | Central Venous Line Insertion | | | Module 8: | Communication—During Codes and Safe and Effective Handoffs | | | Module 9: | Intermediate Airway | | | Module 10: | Intraosseous IV | | | Module 11: | Local Anesthetics | | | Module 12: | Lumps and Bumps | | Y EAR 3 | Module 13: | Paracentesis | | --- | --- | --- | | | Module 14: | Thoracentesis | | | Module 15: | Ultrasound Basics | | Y EAR 4 | Module 1: | Organ-Specific Ultrasound Diagnosis | TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE FEATURES The curriculum modules are self-contained and can be used as free-standing learning activities or in a stepwise fashion as part of the entire curriculum. Modules can be implemented in a proctored small or large group setting, or individually. Features include: • Objectives, assumptions, and suggested readings • Step-by-step descriptions of techniques, tasks, and procedures with images • Discussion of common errors • Expert performance videos • Asse

FAQs

What training areas does the ACS/ASE curriculum cover for medical students?

It provides structured training in essential surgical skills and supports clinical skills ranging from taking a history and conducting a physical examination to performing basic surgical procedures.

How is the curriculum organized across years?

The simulation-based modules are aligned with the year during which they are most commonly taught, with content listed by Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, and Year 4 modules.

What features are included in each curriculum module?

Each module includes objectives, assumptions, suggested readings, step-by-step technique descriptions with images, discussion of common errors, expert performance videos, assessment tools, and guidance on simulation laboratory models and setup.

How can faculty and students access the modules?

The 33 modules are available via the ACS simulation-based program page and can be accessed on the ACS Learning Management System using an ACS username and password.

Oct 2, 2026

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