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Current status of advanced gastrointestinal endoscopy training fellowships in the United States

Authors Heller S, Tokar J

Published 11 January 2011 Volume 2011:2 Pages 25—34

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S13310

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Stephen J Heller, Jeffrey L Tokar
Department of Medicine, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Abstract: Rapid growth in the field of advanced gastrointestinal endoscopy has led to an increase in specialized therapeutic endoscopy fellowships. The cornerstones of these programs are training in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound. These procedures are more complex and challenging to master than routine colonoscopy and upper endoscopy, and in the case of ERCP, higher risk. The concentration of the educational experience in the hands of relatively fewer trainees with specialized interest in advanced endoscopy has resulted in providing a focused cohort of graduating fellows with higher case volumes in training, which likely enhances diagnostic and therapeutic success and safer performance of these procedures. Endoscopic simulators, although not currently in widespread use, have the potential to improve advanced procedural training without jeopardizing patient safety.

Keywords: gastrointestinal endoscopy, training, procedures, safety

 

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