The object of the Society as stated in the Constitution is the cultivation and promotion of knowledge in whatever relates to diseases of the rectum and colon.
[3] The ASCRS has described its activities as follows: Since its inception in 1899, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) has been actively providing support for the education of its members specializing in colon and rectal surgery, general surgeons, surgical residents, and medical students.
With new developments in surgical education, the ASCRS continues to offer educational tools and activities tailored to meet acquisition of medical knowledge and technical skills in an ongoing fashion throughout surgeons' careers, foster high-quality patient care, and promote the integration of the core competencies of communication skills, professionalism, system-based practice and practice-based learning, and improvement in daily practice.
[1] The ASCRS holds an annual conference "to provide participants with in-depth and up-to-date knowledge relative to surgery for diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus", with an emphasis on patient care, teaching, and research.
In 2016, the American College of Surgeons reported on its partnership with the ASCRS in developing technical skill assessments in the colorectal surgery field.