Assessments and skills improvement for endoscopists

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gastroenterology
• Quality Assurance in Healthcare

Background:

• Optimal methods for assessing endoscopy training remain undetermined globally.
• The UK has established a comprehensive competency-based training and certification program for endoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a web-based integrated training and certification system for endoscopy in the UK.
• To highlight the use of validated tools for formative and summative assessments in endoscopy training.

Main Methods:

• Development and validation of endoscopy work-based assessments (DOPS) for trainees and independent practitioners.
• Implementation of a competency-based training and certification program overseen by a single professional body.
• Utilization of a web-based IT system for quality assurance and monitoring of individual and unit performance.

Main Results:

• Validated DOPS tools provide formative feedback for targeted endoscopy training.
• Summative assessments are used for trainee certification and for colonoscopists in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.
• A robust quality assurance process is applied to all individuals and endoscopy units through the integrated IT system.

Conclusions:

• The UK's system provides a structured approach to endoscopy training, certification, and quality assurance.
• Monitoring independent practice through key performance indicators and clinical audits facilitates benchmarking and identifies areas for improvement.
• Ongoing training is recognized as beneficial for skills development and addressing sub-optimal performance in endoscopy.