Limited exposure to pancreatic ERCP during advanced endoscopy training impacts competence and performance in...

The impact of competency-based training programs on pancreatic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performance remains unclear. This study aimed to describe the learning curves of pancreatic ERCP and subsequent performance during independent practice.

This was a multicenter prospective cohort study involving advanced endoscopy trainees (AETs). In the 1st phase, trainees were assessed on every 5th ERCP using the ERCP and EUS Skills Assessment Tool (TEESAT). Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis of pancreatic ERCP evaluations was used to establish learning curves. During the 2nd phase (1st year of independent practice), now-graduated participants documented their performance on key ERCP quality indicators.

A total of 24 AETs (20 training programs) received sufficient evaluations for CUSUM analysis. Pancreatic ERCP accounted for 14.6 % (196/1339) of all ERCPs evaluated with 45 % of pancreatic ERCPs carrying a Grade 3 level of complexity. A minority of AETs (16.7 %) performed enough pancreatic ERCPs to generate meaningful learning curves with no AETs achieving competence in pancreatic cannulation, sphincterotomy, or stone clearance during Phase 1. In Phase 2, a total of 3620 ERCPs were performed, of which 281 (7.8 %) were pancreatic ERCPs. While the overall pancreatic duct cannulation rate was 92.2 %, the native papilla pancreatic duct cannulation rate was 85.7 %, which was below the recommended 90 % threshold.

Advanced endoscopy training offers a low level of exposure to pancreatic ERCP, which is mirrored in independent practice, highlighting the inadequate training in pancreatic ERCP. Given the complexity of pancreatic ERCP, novel strategies are warranted to improve training in pancreatic ERCP.