For the first time in Ireland, SpRs in both surgical and medical Higher Specialist Training programmes will receive standardised, competence-based training in all aspects of providing a high-quality endoscopy service to patients. The programme will be rolled out to SpRs entering Higher Specialist Training in Gastroenterology or Gastrointestinal/General Surgery in July 2011.

Trainees will be required to satisfactorily perform a wide range of technical procedures and will develop these technical skills using simulators in RCSI.

A detailed endoscopy curriculum, aimed at trainers as well as trainees, breaks down the range and number of procedures to be performed. The curriculum also highlights the importance of cognitive and interpretive skills, in addition to technical skills. Regular assessment is another key feature of the programme.

On successfully completing the programme, as well as being able to perform a wide range of endoscopy-related procedures, trainees will be able to understand the indications, contraindications, limitations and complications of endoscopy. They will have the ability to interpret results, manage patients and provide a safe, high quality and efficient endoscopy service.

The endoscopy training programme was developed by a working group comprising educational experts in RCPI and RCSI, and physicians and surgeons working and teaching in the relevant specialties. An endoscopy-specific training-the-trainer course is also being developed.

Speaking on behalf of the Irish Society of Gastroenterology (ISG), the president Professor John Hyland, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, stated, ‘The launch of the new standardised, integrated gastrointestinal endoscopic programme emphasises the commitment of RCPI, RCSI and the ISG to improve services for all patients. This programme allows for strict training guidelines, underpinned by good governance and quality assurance.’