Capsule endoscopy: is there a role for nurses as physician extenders?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Endoscopy
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Capsule endoscopy is a key tool for small bowel examination.
• Interpretation of capsule endoscopy videos is time-intensive and requires specialized expertise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of capsule endoscopy interpretation between an experienced gastroenterologist and a nurse.
• To evaluate the potential for nurses to act as physician extenders in capsule endoscopy interpretation.

Main Methods:

• Fifty consecutive capsule endoscopy videos were independently reviewed by a nurse (with no prior experience) and a physician.
• Findings were categorized as relevant, uncertain, or irrelevant.
• A senior gastroenterologist arbitrated discrepancies, considering clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

• No significant difference was found in the identification of relevant or uncertain small bowel pathologies between the nurse and the physician.
• The nurse reader identified more irrelevant findings and required more time for interpretation compared to the physician.

Conclusions:

• Nurses are capable of interpreting capsule endoscopy findings with accuracy comparable to experienced gastroenterologists.
• This study supports the role of nurses as physician extenders in capsule endoscopy interpretation, potentially improving workflow efficiency.