Effectiveness of a novel endoscopy training concept.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Gastrointestinal endoscopy training standards are not well-defined.
• Simulators are increasingly utilized for skills acquisition.
• The GATE (Gastroenterological Education-Training Endoscopy) model integrates theory, video demonstrations, and simulator practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the acceptance of the GATE training model.
• To assess the training effects of the GATE model on theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Main Methods:

• 98 physicians participated in four training courses.
• Data collected included baseline characteristics, acceptance via Likert scale, and pre/post-course knowledge assessment.
• 13 trainees underwent simulator assessment for manual skills evaluation.

Main Results:

• 80% of trainees (78/98) completed the study.
• High acceptance of the GATE program was reported, with 88% recommending it as obligatory.
• Significant improvements were observed in theoretical knowledge (P<0.001) and practical skills, including reduced procedure time (P<0.01).

Conclusions:

• The integrated GATE training effectively enhanced both theoretical knowledge and manual skills in gastrointestinal endoscopy.
• Accreditation by the German Society of Gastroenterology highlights the value of GATE courses.
• The findings support the implementation of preclinical training courses in endoscopic education.