In episode 103 of UPMC’s Physician Journal, Brad Dicianno, MD, discusses assistive technology and the benefits of it, Amer Zureikat, MD, FACS, presents the advantages of the robotic whipple and how to master it, and Edith Tzeng, MD, presents his collaboration with Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering to develop synthetic blood vessels. 

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Explain the term “assistive technology” and who are the users of assistive technology
• Recognize the potential benefits of assistive technologies to users with disabilities
• Describe the advantages of the robotic whipple compared to the open approach
• Describe the training needed to master the robotic whipple
• Describe the state of vascular graft technology
• Explain the limitations of current vascular grafts and the opportunities for better technology

Disclosures

Dr. Zureikat has reported no relevant relationships with entities producing health care goods or services.

Dr. Dicianno has financial interests with the following entity or entities producing health care goods or services as indicated below:

• Grant/Research Support: Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs HSR&D, VA Merit Review, Administration for Community Living, National Institutes of Health, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, Spina Bifida Association (SBA) (Prime: CDC), National Institutes of Health, US Department of Transportation, PCORI, American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials

Dr. Tzeng has financial interests with the following entity or entities producing health care goods or services as indicated below:

• Grant/Research Support: NIH
• Consultant: consultant for ARUGA, start up company to develop this technology ($0)

All presenters' disclosures of relevant financial relationships with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services used on or consumed by patients is listed above. No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers, and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh 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.

The University of Pittsburgh designates enduring material activity for a maximum of .50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit[s]™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

For your credit transcript, please access our website 4 weeks post-completion at http://ccehs.upmc.com and follow the link to the Credit Transcript page. If you do not provide the last 5 digits of your SSN on the next page you will not be able to access a CME credit transcript. Providing your SSN is voluntary.

Release Date: 9/22/2021 | Last Modified On: 9/22/2021 | Expires: 9/22/2022