Endoscopy After the COVID-19 Pandemic-What Will Be Different?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Education

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted healthcare services globally.
• Endoscopy procedures require stringent infection control measures.
• Disruptions led to delays in diagnosis and treatment for various conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy service provision.
• To identify challenges and adaptations in endoscopy during the pandemic.
• To outline future directions for endoscopy in a post-pandemic world.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent publications.
• Analysis of the effects on endoscopy procedures, training, and patient care.
• Synthesis of findings related to safety, training models, and technological adoption.

Main Results:

• Endoscopy is safe with proper infection control; however, training was significantly affected.
• Delayed or cancelled procedures pose risks for timely diagnosis, especially for cancers.
• Novel training models and technologies like telehealth offer potential solutions.

Conclusions:

• The pandemic has permanently altered endoscopy service delivery.
• Further research is needed on patient risk stratification and validating new training methods.
• Adoption of new technologies is crucial for future endoscopy practice and minimizing infection risks.