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DOI: 10.1055/a-2292-9268
ESGE and Education in Endoscopy
Organizing, offering, and promoting educational activities aiming to provide knowledge, enhance skills and improve the quality of gastrointestinal endoscopy has been one of the cornerstones of the ESGE. The Education Committee was one of the first committees to be established in 1996. The position of Chair has been held by a series of endoscopists that share a passion regarding education, including Andrzej Nowak (Poland, 1996–2000), Aksel Kruse (Denmark, 2000–2004), Lars Aabbaken (Norway, 2004–2008), Istvan Racz (Hungary, 2008–2010), Mario Dinis-Ribeiro (Portugal, 2010–2014), Tomas Hucl (Czech Republic, 2014–2018), Marianna Arvanitakis (Belgium, 2018–2022) and currently Istvan Hritz (Hungary, 2022–2026).
During training, endoscopists need to deepen their theoretical knowledge, learn to manipulate new tools and devices, enhance their ability to identify and differentiate normal versus pathological findings, make timely decisions, communicate, collaborate, and develop leadership within a team [11]. Moreover, they must integrate all these aspects beyond the technical procedure into a patient-centered approach. Therefore, high quality training requires an adequate and up to date intellectual background, technical skills, as well as social and cognitive skills [11].
Hands on training can offer a valuable opportunity to become familiar with different challenges related to an endoscopic procedure, especially in the early stages of learning a new technique, thereby accelerating learning curves and reducing patient risk [11]. The ESGE has been successfully organizing hands-on endoscopy training sessions for years within major European gastroenterology meetings and especially during ESGE Days. These hands-on endoscopy training sessions include both basic and more complex, cutting-edge endoscopic procedures, drawing interest of endoscopists at all levels ([Fig. 1Fig. 1], [Fig. 2Fig. 2]). These hands-on sessions not only allow practicing on ex-vivo animal and static models with various types of endoscopes and accessory devices, but also provide direct interaction with dedicated endoscopy experts as well as endoscopy nurses, who can share useful advice based on their extensive experience.
Another important aspect of endoscopy training is immersion in a high-volume endoscopy center, even as an observer, to familiarize oneself not only on the modalities of specific endoscopy techniques, but also to obtain insight on the organization of an endoscopy unit outside familiar settings [22]. Fellowship grants, offered by the ESGE, allow young endoscopists to spend a 4-week period in an ESGE-approved host center. The host centers are ESGE-designated based on the volume of endoscopy procedures and training quality. Fellowship grant applications are reviewed and based on predefined criteria; awardees are selected by the ESGE Education Committee. This process not only provides the opportunity to enhance endoscopy training but can also facilitate the forging of professional relationships and enhance networking for further educational and collaborative endoscopic research opportunities.
In collaboration with the ESGE Scientific Committee, the Education Committee has developed the ESGE Days Postgraduate Course (PGC) that takes place at ESGE Days. The PGC is a comprehensive series of special educational sessions aimed at trainees as well as trained endoscopists at all levels of expertise. The PGC content covers all aspects of digestive endoscopy and spans a two-year cycle. The PGC provides a comprehensive educational experience and extensive interaction with experts for in-depth learning. In addition, as part of ESGE’s 60th anniversary jubilee celebration activities, a novel educational event will be launched in September 2024, the “ESGE Endoscopy Camp”. This a unique 2,5-day interactive hands-on GI endoscopy training course for endoscopy trainees and early career gastroenterologists who are ESGE members, focusing on basic GI endoscopy procedures including gastroscopy, colonoscopy, tissue acquisition, polypectomy, haemostasis techniques, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement. Moreover, there will be case-based, interactive didactic lectures from international endoscopy experts that will complement and synergize with the hands-on training sessions.
Advanced gastrointestinal endoscopy encompasses an increasing number of procedures of high complexity. Despite the availability of GI endoscopy training programs in all the countries of our member societies, these advanced procedures require structured, long-lasting training programs involving simulation based and hands on training, observation of experts, initial training under expert supervision in high-volume centers, and finally autonomy followed ideally by a period of mentored independent practice [33]. ESGE publishes curricula focusing on these advanced endoscopic procedures and recommends minimal standards of advanced training including prerequisites prior to training, recommended training steps, required procedural volumes, and definitions of procedural competence.
Complementary to conventional training, online learning has been expanding during the last years. It is evident to ESGE that online and interactive learning will play an increasing critical role in endoscopy training. Input from the younger generation of endoscopists as well as from experienced endoscopy teachers is indispensable in shaping the future of training in endoscopy. ESGE currently offers a free weekly “Wednesday Webinars” series highlighting tips and tricks from experts on specific endoscopic techniques and procedures, lectures on quality endoscopy practice, and optimizing overall management of digestive diseases involving endoscopy. Furthermore, ESGE has a members-only module-based eLearning platform with lectures, clinical cases, self-assessment tools, and a final certification of completion for each module. This platform is now being significantly expanded and upgraded that will include all ESGE educational materials, including all materials from past ESGE Days, live endoscopy, webinars, podcasts, and much more. This new online educational platform will be called the “ESGE Academy”. We encourage you to join ESGE, join our community and get online for world class endoscopy education from international experts!
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Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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References
- 1 Antonelli G, Voiosu AM, Pawlak KM. et al. Training in basic gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: a European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and European Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Nurses and Associates (ESGENA) Position Statement. Endoscopy 2024; 56: 131-150 DOI: 10.1055/a-2205-2613.. (PMID: 38040025)
- 2 Lobatón T, Armuzzi A. Young GI angle: Should I go abroad?. United European Gastroenterol J 2019; 7: 723-725
- 3 Johnson G, Webster G, Boskoski I. et al. Curriculum for ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound training in Europe: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Position Statement. Endoscopy 2021; 53: 1071-1087 DOI: 10.1055/a-1537-8999. (PMID: 34311472)
Correspondence
Publication History
Article published online:
30 July 2024
© 2024. © 2024. European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved.
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References
- 1 Antonelli G, Voiosu AM, Pawlak KM. et al. Training in basic gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: a European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and European Society of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Nurses and Associates (ESGENA) Position Statement. Endoscopy 2024; 56: 131-150 DOI: 10.1055/a-2205-2613.. (PMID: 38040025)
- 2 Lobatón T, Armuzzi A. Young GI angle: Should I go abroad?. United European Gastroenterol J 2019; 7: 723-725
- 3 Johnson G, Webster G, Boskoski I. et al. Curriculum for ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound training in Europe: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Position Statement. Endoscopy 2021; 53: 1071-1087 DOI: 10.1055/a-1537-8999. (PMID: 34311472)