AMASI provides assistance to its members through its various resources. It holds regular training workshops providing basic and advanced laparoscopic training to enthusiastic surgeon. It conducts conferences where national and international faculties share their expertise with the delegates. The delegates also get a forum to publicise their own work and research. CME credits are awarded for several of the workshops held under its aegis.

The official journal of the Association, The Asian Journal of Laparoendoscopic Surgery, publishes significant articles of scientific interest in the fields of laparoscopic and endoscopic therapy. The website, among a range of useful features, hosts a video library where members can view videos of laparoscopc and endoscopic procedures.

AMASI has instituted the Fellowship of Minimal Access Surgery (FMAS) – a certificate awarded after successfully completing a “Skills Course” and the subsequent examination.

Conferences and Workshops

AMASI holds a bi-annual international conference where prominent national and international faculties discuss their experiences and provide technical tips to the delegates. Master videos are shown as well as live surgeries are demonstrated in the workshops. Delegates can present their scientific papers. A training center is established to allow novices to practice their skills in laparoscopic suturing and other techniques.

In addition, every alternate year, each of the zones (except the one that hosted the international conference) hold a zonal meet, following a similar format.

Training

AMASI provides ample opportunity for surgical residents to learn and grow in the evolving field of minimal access surgery through:

  • Instituting a framework of guidelines to prove as guideposts for governing authorities like the Medical Council of India (MCI) to institute training in minimal access surgery in surgical residency training programs.

  • Basic Training Course provided at its annual meets.

  • Certification in Minimal Access Surgery (Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery) through a nationally organized teaching course and examination.

Young Surgeon Award presented annually to a young AMASI member who is in residency, fellowship or practice within 5 years of completing training and not exceeding the age of 40 years and has accomplished or published clinical and/or basic scientific research.

A special section for presentation of resident papers at the annual meet.


CME

This is our primary concern at present: ‘To train the trainers!’
  • Dedicated CME courses at the annual meeting to update practising surgeons.
  • Joint symposia with other leading societies.
  • DVD based teaching material.
  • VCD/DVD library.
  • Regional test sites for the Fellowship examination
Patient Education

As the general population is now information-seeking, AMASI aims to help its members, general practitioners and patients to stay well-informed.
  • To produce easily understood patient information brochures on a range of minimally invasive procedures.
  • Members may order the information brochures at a modest fee from AMASI.
  • Members can download the brochure from the AMASI website or direct the patient to the website to avail the information themselves.
  • General Practitioners (GPs) are team members and AMASI provides web based information to GPs to help them help patients.
Research

AMASI aims to bring surgeons and institutions with common progressive interest together to enhance research and knowledge sharing. Clinical studies, multi-center studies and research methods needed to take forward minimal access surgery will be AMASI after due consideration by the scientific committee