Behind The Knife: The Surgery Podcast

In the final installment of the Healthcare Econ 101 miniseries, Dr. Christopher Childers and Dr. Nina Clark demystify the "black box" of medical billing and coding. This episode breaks down the two essential components of every medical bill: ICD codes, which identify the patient's diagnosis (the "why"), and CPT codes, which describe the specific services or procedures performed (the "what"). The discussion emphasizes that surgeons are legally and ethically responsible for the accuracy of these codes, regardless of whether a professional coder or an automated system handles the data entry. Listeners will gain insights into the "Global Period," the pitfalls of illegal "unbundling," and how to use modifiers—such as the -22 for increased procedural services—to accurately reflect the complexity of a case.***Fellowship Application Link: https://forms.gle/QSUrR2GWHDZ1MmWC6Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.  If you liked this episode, chec

Ever wonder why a complex gallbladder surgery only nets the surgeon about $350, while the hospital collects thousands? In this episode, Dr. Christopher Childers and Dr. Nina Clark pull back the curtain on how the money actually flows in medicine. From the birth of the RVU to the "Two Midnight Rule," we’re breaking down the math behind your paycheck.Next Step: Ready to make sure you're actually getting credit for the work you do? Join us for Episode 3, where we dive into the "Black Box" of Coding and Billing. ***Fellowship Application Link: https://forms.gle/QSUrR2GWHDZ1MmWC6Sponsor Disclaimer: Visit goremedical.com/btkpod to learn more about GORE® SYNECOR Biomaterial, including supporting references and disclaimers for the presented content.  Refer to Instructions for Use at eifu.goremedical.com for a complete description of all applicable indications, warnings, precautions and contraindications for the markets where this product is available. Rx only Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other h

Ever feel like you’re fluent in medical jargon but totally illiterate when it comes to the business side of surgery? You’re not alone. In this series premiere, Dr. Christopher Childers (Surgical Oncologist and health policy expert) joins Dr. Nina Clark to demystify the "second world" of medicine: healthcare finance. We’re breaking down the basic vocabulary every surgeon needs to advocate for themselves and their patients.Next Step: Ready to see how this translates to your paycheck? In Episode 2, we dive into Physician and Hospital Compensation, RVUs, and the flow of funds.***Fellowship Application Link: https://forms.gle/QSUrR2GWHDZ1MmWC6Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.  If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listenBehind the Knife Premium:General Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-reviewTrauma Surgery Video Atlas: http

The high-stakes world of surgical oral boards just got a high-tech upgrade. In this episode, the Behind the Knife team dives deep into the 2026 evolution of their AI Oral Board Simulator. With over 10,000 exams completed and a 99% recommendation rate from recent examinees, we’re showing you how AI is leveling the playing field for residents everywhere.Join Drs. Georgoff, Swenson, and Ali as they break down the new features designed to mimic the modern, non-linear, and "rapid branching" style of the American Board of Surgery. Whether you’re a junior resident honing your consult skills or a chief preparing for the "hot seat," this is the ultimate guide to dominating your boards without breaking the bank.Simulator: behindtheknifeoralboardsimulator.org

In surgery, when we think of research, often we picture randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and big data sets. But have you ever considered what we might miss by limiting our research programs to quantitative inquiry? What if you want to understand the culture or identity of your department or your training program? Or, what If you want to understand the values, priorities, and lived experiences of your patients? Some of the most meaningful insights about how we teach, learn, and practice surgery come from talking to people. Their words, their stories, and their experiences, and that's where qualitative research comes in. In this episode we dive into the “why” and “how” of qualitative research with leaders in the space, Professor Nicole Perez and Dr. Maya Hunt.Host:  Steven Thornton, MD (General Surgery Resident at Duke University)Guests: Nicole Perez (Assistant Professor of Medical Education, University of Illinois Chicago) Maya Hunt (General Surgery Resident, Indiana University) Publications Discu

Surgical quality is a term that is often thrown around in surgical practice. We have multiple quality improvement projects, metrics and benchmarks that motivate us to do better, and of course the ever expanding patient reviews to possibly “reflect” the type of surgical care provided. But what does quality actually mean? What metrics can we use to understand the type of care being provided by ourselves, our colleagues, and the health system at large. Today, we delve into these questions to understand how quality is currently understood within surgery and how we hope it to evolve in the future. Joining BTK fellow Agnes Premkumar and ASGBI hosts Jared Wohlgemut and Gita Lingam are two fantastic guests - Dr. Mark Cheetham, joining us from the UK, has deep experience in national audits and system-level quality improvement. Dr. Cheetham is a colorectal surgeon and the National Clinical Lead for General Surgery at the Getting it Right First Time Programme in NHS England, or GIRFT. Dr. Alexander Perez is representin

The Match. Two words that define the trajectory of every physician’s career in the United States. But how does the algorithm actually work, and who is looking out for the applicants navigating this high-stakes process? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Donna Lamb, President and CEO of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), to pull back the curtain on one of medicine’s most consequential systems. Dr. Lamb unpacks the strengths and limitations of the match algorithm and shares her candid advice on overapplication, post-interview communication, and dual applying. She also addresses the growing financial burden on applicants, challenges facing international medical graduates amid shifting visa restrictions, and recent congressional scrutiny into the match algorithm’s antitrust exemption. Join hosts Pooja Varman, MD, Judith French, PhD, and Jeremy Lipman, MD, MHPE for this conversation about the system that shapes the future of medicine—and the people working to make it more equitable, transparent, and

Robotic surgery has moved from novelty to norm, and in this episode of Behind the Knife, Drs. James Jung and Joey Lew sit down with urologic pioneer and Medtronic CMO Dr. Jim Porter to dissect how we got here, what the data really say about “the death of laparoscopy,” and where competing robotic platforms like Hugo may take the field next. From ergonomics and education to economics and global access, they tackle both the hype and the hard questions around robotics as the future of minimally invasive surgery.Hosts: ·      James Jung, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Duke University·      Joey Lew, MD, MFA, Surgical resident PGY-3, Duke University, @lew__actuallyLearning Goals: By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to:·      Describe key clinical, ergonomic, and educational drivers behind the rapid adoption of robotic surgery in the United States and globally.·      Summarize current evidence comparing robotic and laparoscopic approaches for common procedures, including where outcomes are

Join the Behind the Knife Surgical Oncology Team as we discuss the PRADO and NADINA randomized control trials regarding neoadjuvant therapy in Stage III melanoma with macroscopic nodal disease!Hosts:Timothy Vreeland, MD, FACS (@vreelant) is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Surgical Oncologist at Brooke Army Medical Center.Daniel Nelson, DO, FACS (@usarmydoc24) is Surgical Oncologist/HPB surgeon at Kaiser LAMC in Los Angeles.Lexy (Alexandra) Adams, MD, MPH (@lexyadams16) is a 2ndYear Surgical Oncology fellow at MD Anderson.Beth (Elizabeth) Barbera, MD (@elizcarpenter16) is a General Surgery physician in the United States Air Force station at RAF Lakenheath.Joe (Joseph) Broderick, MD, MA (@joebrod5) is a General Surgery research resident between his second and third year at Brooke Army Medical Center.Galen Gist, MD (@gistgalen) is a General Surgery research resident between his second and third year at Brooke Army Medical Center. Learning Objecti

Research years. Professional development time. Career exploration.Whatever you call it, stepping out of clinical residency can feel confusing, intimidating, and oddly hard to plan for. In this episode of Behind the Knife, our BTK Surgical Education Fellows Drs. Elizabeth Maginot, Nicole Petcka, Agnes Premkumar, Kara Button, Emma Burke, and Michelle LaBella sit down with Dr. Daniel Nussbaum, Associate Professor of Surgery at Duke University and leader in the Duke Residency Research Fellowship Program, to unpack dedicated resident profressional development time really looks like, who it helps, who it doesn’t, and how to make the most of it if you choose to step out of clinical training.Together, the group tackles:·       Why “research years” are often better thought of as professional development time·       Whether taking time out of residency is actually necessary for fellowship or an academic career·       How to find the right mentor—and why there’s rarely a “perfect” project·       Practical advice on set

Abdominal organ procurement is a high-stakes operation that blends anatomy, speed, and coordinated teamwork. In this Behind the Knife episode, the UNMC transplant team walks through the practical “how-to” of deceased donor abdominal recovery—covering OR roles and logistics, key anatomic maneuvers, cannulation/flush troubleshooting, and the workflow differences that matter most between donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after circulatory death (DCD).HostsMadeline Cloonan, MD PhD – General Surgery Resident, University of Nebraska Medical Center (@maddie_cloonan) Evelyn Waugh, MD – Transplant Surgery Fellow, University of Nebraska Medical Center Jacqueline Dauch, MD – Abdominal Transplant Surgeon, University of Nebraska Medical Center Alex Maskin, MD – Kidney & Pancreas Transplant Surgeon, University of Nebraska Medical CenterLearning Objectives Compare DBD vs DCD donor workflow and define total vs functional warm ischemia.  Identify key OR roles and the ethical/legal separation of death declarat

What happens when the world of GLP-1s collides with the operating room? Today, we’re diving into the new era of obesity care. Hosts·       Matthew Martin, trauma and bariatric surgeon at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (Los Angeles, California) @docmartin2·       Adrian Dan, bariatric and MIS surgeon, program director for the advanced MIS bariatric and foregut fellowship at Summa Health System (Akron, Ohio) @DrAdrianDan·       Crystal Johnson Mann, bariatric and foregut surgeon at the University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida) @crys_noelle_·       Katherine Cironi, general surgery resident at the University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (Los Angeles, California) @cironimacaroniLearning objectives1.          Understand the evolving role of OMMs in bariatric surgical practice·       Recognize how widespread GLP-1 and dual-incretin therapies have reshaped patient presentations, expectations, and referral patterns.·       Appreciate current e

In surgical residency, cases are long, expectations are high, and patient care always comes first. But then you become a parent, and suddenly you’re navigating pregnancy risk, parental leave, and lactation logistics in a system that wasn’t built for it. We’ve made meaningful progress over the past decade, but too many trainees still face becoming parents in residency without clear, consistent support. In this episode, join Dr. Kara Button with Dr. Arielle Kanters and Dr. Sarah Shubeck as they ask: How do we build a surgical workforce that’s skilled, resilient—and genuinely supported as surgeon-parents? They’ll share practical, evidence-based steps programs can take to make parental support the norm—not the exception.Hosts:Kara Button, DO — General Surgery Resident, Maine Medical Center; Behind the Knife Surgical Education FellowArielle Kanters, MD — Colorectal Surgeon; Associate Program Director, Colorectal Surgery Fellowship, Cleveland ClinicDr. Sarah Shubeck, MD — Assistant Professor of Surgery; Breast Sur

You’re in the middle of surgical residency, and you realize you need more than a few weeks away from clinical responsibilities. Maybe you need more time to be a parent, recover from an illness, care for family, learn a new skill, or simply create space to reflect and reset. What if you could complete five years of training over six calendar years by spreading that time out in a way that fits your life?  Join Dr. Kara Button with Dr. Joe Buyske, and Dr. Bridget Olson as they break down the 5-in-6 pathway including how it works, who it’s for, and the real-world logistics that matter.Hosts:Kara Button, DO — General Surgery Resident, Maine Medical Center; Behind the Knife Surgical Education FellowJo Buyske, MD — President & CEO, American Board of SurgeryDr. Bridget Olsen, MD — General Surgery Resident, Maine Medical CenterReferences: Bamdad MC, Hughes DT, Englesbe M. Safe and supported pregnancy: A call to action for surgery chairs and program directors: A call to action for surgery chairs and program direct

This new mini-series on Behind the Knife will delve into the technical aspects of the Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery, developed through the American College of Surgeons Cancer Research Program. This second episode highlights the thyroid cancer operative standard.Hosts:Tracy Wang, MD, MPH, FACS is a Professor of Surgery and Vice-Chair of Strategic and Professional Development at the Medical College of Wisconsin with a clinical focus on endocrine surgical oncology. Vladmir Neychev, MD, PhD is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine with a clinical focus on endocrine surgical oncology.Jack Sample, MD (@JackWSample) is a General Surgery Resident at Mayo Clinic Rochester.Guests:Elizabeth Grubbs, MD (@EGrubbsMD) is a Professor of Surgical Oncology at MD Anderson where she specializes in endocrine tumors, with expertise in cancer of the thyroid.David Hughes, MD is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at University of Michigan, where he focuses on surgical disease

Behind the Knife ABSITE 2026 – Up-to-date and high yield learning to help you DOMINATE the exam.Don’t forget to check out our ABSITE Podcast Companion Book available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Knife-ABSITE-Podcast-Companion/dp/B0CLDQWZG3/ref=monarch_sidesheetBe sure to check out our free study aid, which includes all 32 review episodes, brief written summaries, high yield images, and flash cards. Simply create an account on our iOS or Android app or on our website and you will find the entire course in your Library. Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049Google Play App Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.appBehind the Knife would like to sincerely thank Medtronic for sponsoring the entire 2026 ABSITE podcast series.  Medtronic has a rich history of supporting surgical education, and we couldn’t be happier that they chose to partner with Behind the Knife.  Learn more at https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/index.htmlIf you like the work th

Behind the Knife ABSITE 2026 – Up-to-date and high yield learning to help you DOMINATE the exam.Don’t forget to check out our ABSITE Podcast Companion Book available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Knife-ABSITE-Podcast-Companion/dp/B0CLDQWZG3/ref=monarch_sidesheetBe sure to check out our free study aid, which includes all 32 review episodes, brief written summaries, high yield images, and flash cards. Simply create an account on our iOS or Android app or on our website and you will find the entire course in your Library. Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049Google Play App Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.appBehind the Knife would like to sincerely thank Medtronic for sponsoring the entire 2026 ABSITE podcast series.  Medtronic has a rich history of supporting surgical education, and we couldn’t be happier that they chose to partner with Behind the Knife.  Learn more at https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/index.htmlIf you like the work th

In resuscitative trauma surgery every second counts. Can time and lives be saved by moving interventions closer to the point of injury? In this episode, we discuss a recent journal article on prehospital resuscitative thoracotomy as a treatment for traumatic cardiac arrest. Opening the chest on the street, who should do it, why should we do it, and for whom?• Hosts:  Mr Prashanth Ramaraj. General Surgery trainee, Edinburgh rotation. @LonTraumaSchool Dr Roisin Kelly. Major Trauma Junior Clinical Fellow, Royal London Hospital.  Mr Max Marsden. Resuscitative Major Trauma Fellow, Royal London Hospital. @maxmarsden83 Mr Christopher Aylwin. Consultant Trauma & Vascular Surgeon, Royal London Hospital and Co-Programme Director MSc Trauma Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. @cjaylwin Mr Zane Perkins. Consultant Trauma & UGI Surgeon, Royal London Hospital and Prehospital Surgeon at London’s Air Ambulance. @ZBPerkins  • Learning objectives: A)    To be aware of the steps of a resuscitative thoracotomy

Behind the Knife ABSITE 2026 – Up-to-date and high yield learning to help you DOMINATE the exam.Don’t forget to check out our ABSITE Podcast Companion Book available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Knife-ABSITE-Podcast-Companion/dp/B0CLDQWZG3/ref=monarch_sidesheetBe sure to check out our free study aid, which includes all 32 review episodes, brief written summaries, high yield images, and flash cards. Simply create an account on our iOS or Android app or on our website and you will find the entire course in your Library. Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049Google Play App Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.appBehind the Knife would like to sincerely thank Medtronic for sponsoring the entire 2026 ABSITE podcast series.  Medtronic has a rich history of supporting surgical education, and we couldn’t be happier that they chose to partner with Behind the Knife.  Learn more at https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/index.htmlIf you like the work th

Behind the Knife ABSITE 2026 – Up-to-date and high yield learning to help you DOMINATE the exam.Don’t forget to check out our ABSITE Podcast Companion Book available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Behind-Knife-ABSITE-Podcast-Companion/dp/B0CLDQWZG3/ref=monarch_sidesheetBe sure to check out our free study aid, which includes all 32 review episodes, brief written summaries, high yield images, and flash cards. Simply create an account on our iOS or Android app or on our website and you will find the entire course in your Library. Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049Google Play App Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.appBehind the Knife would like to sincerely thank Medtronic for sponsoring the entire 2026 ABSITE podcast series.  Medtronic has a rich history of supporting surgical education, and we couldn’t be happier that they chose to partner with Behind the Knife.  Learn more at https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/index.htmlIf you like the work th