STS News, Fall 2020 — The STS Cardiothoracic Surgery E-Book is being touted as the most complete and authoritative online resource of cardiothoracic surgical information in the world.
More than 600 leading surgeons from around the globe have authored and edited approximately 330 interactive chapters included in the two volumes of the e-book—Pearson’s General Thoracic and Cardiac & Congenital. The general thoracic volume is an update and expansion of the popular Pearson's Thoracic & Esophageal Surgery textbook, while the adult cardiac and congenital volume is all new.
Rich with multimedia content, this comprehensive resource showcases more than 2,000 photographs, charts, figures, and surgical videos. In addition, hundreds of high-quality, hand-drawn medical illustrations were commissioned. Both volumes will be updated continuously to reflect the most current information.
“The e-book represents the next generation of cardiothoracic surgical education,” said Jeffrey P. Jacobs, MD, e-book senior editor for congenital heart surgery, and professor of surgery at the University of Florida Congenital Heart Center in Gainesville. “I find it particularly exciting that the STS e-book will allow hyperlinks to intraoperative photographs and videos and that chapters can be updated much more rapidly than the current process to update conventional paper-based textbooks.”
Gail E. Darling MD, e-book senior editor for general thoracic surgery, and professor of thoracic surgery at the University of Toronto in Canada, agreed. “With knowledge expanding faster than ever, the old form of a published textbook with new editions released every 3 to 5 years is woefully inadequate to keep up with the rapidity of change. The new e-book allows us to update a chapter in almost real time.”
In fact, the e-book eventually will allow for a Wiki-like experience that leverages the end user. In the works is a system similar to that of Wikipedia which will permit users to provide comments on the content that they are reading. If a section or even a paragraph requires updating or is no longer relevant, they will be able to point that out.
The e-book also will be available in online and mobile platforms, offering home, office, or point-of-care reference 24/7/365.
“The modern online format presents information that is remotely accessible. This increases the potential for global use of the e-book in the classroom, hospital, operating room, and anywhere really,” said Dr. Jacobs.
More than 330 interactive chapters across two volumes soon will be available in the STS Cardiothoracic Surgery E-Book.
Most of the cardiac and general thoracic chapters will be available soon, while the remaining chapters in those disciplines plus all of the congenital chapters are expected to be released in early 2021.
Cardiothoracic surgery programs and residents currently have free access to the e-book through the STS Learning Center (see page 2); future access may be contingent on purchase of the Thoracic Surgery Curriculum. The e-book also will be available for purchase by hospitals, clinical practices, and individuals. Special introductory member pricing will be offered.
“The STS e-book will become the gold standard for education and training of current and future cardiothoracic surgeons at all levels, including medical students, interns, residents, fellows, and attending level faculty,” said Dr. Jacobs.
For more information about the e-book, visit sts.org/ebook.