The new ABS guideline requires all surgery residents to perform 50 colonoscopies and 35 upper endoscopies as part of the requirements for surgical training. The specialty societies — the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology and the American Gastroenterological Association — believe the requirements are burdensome on man power and raise concerns regarding the quality of endoscopic training.
In their position statement, the societies expressed that the ABS procedure number requirements for endoscopy are not enough to train surgery residents adequately. Instead, the letter suggests that the ABS requirements should serve only as the basic experience for endoscopy, and if surgeons wish to incorporate endoscopy into their practices, they should be required to undergo additional training.
The societies are also encouraging medical and surgical endoscopist at training programs to collaborate on a process that would help surgery residents achieve competency while meeting educational goals.
Read the joint statement about endoscopy training (pdf).
Read other coverage about endoscopy training:
– Survey Shows Gender Disparities in Attitudes Toward Advanced Endoscopic Training
– ASGE Launches Ambassador Program to Train Gastroenterologists Abroad
