Recruitment of gastroenterology trainees with the help of a new training model?

Recruitment of trainees is necessary to provide the number of gastroenterologists needed. Compared to other branches of internal medicine, gastroenterology involves many procedures, and it is thought that a sense of joy in performing procedures is a main reason why young doctors become gastroenterologists.

A training model for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is often used for the instruction of trainees [1]. The recently developed EASY (Endoscopist and Assistant’s Simulator drY lab) (Tanac Co., Ltd., Gifu, Japan) is an endoscopic simulator developed by Matsuzaki and Tsunemi that is capable of undergoing resection with a snare and clip closure ([Fig. 1], [Fig. 2]). We instructed trainees in endoscopic procedures using an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy model and the EASY and investigated whether the latter would be a useful instrument for encouraging trainees to join our Department of Gastroenterology ([Video 1]).

Fig. 1 The recently developed EASY (Endoscopist and Assistant’s Simulator drY lab): a new endoscopy training model.

Fig. 2 The new training model is about the same size as a compact disc.

Video 1 Trial run for recruiting trainees to gastroenterology with the help of a new endoscopy training model.

Using the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy training model and the EASY, we explained the procedure and provided actual training to 10 junior residents in our hospital. A questionnaire was administered after the training, in which participants’ level of understanding and satisfaction in relation to the endoscopic procedures were evaluated on a 5-point scale.

For the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy model, the comprehension level was 3.80 ± 0.40 and the satisfaction level was 3.50 ± 0.72. For the EASY, the comprehension level was 4.10 ± 0.32 and the satisfaction level 4.60 ± 0.27. Thus, the satisfaction level was higher with EASY than with the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy model (P < 0.05); there were no significant differences in comprehension level (P > 0.05).

The EASY is a dry lab that does not use living tissue, and the reason for the high satisfaction rating was that even junior residents could perform polypectomy and clipping “realistically” and “enjoyably.” Residents showed a high level of satisfaction with the EASY.

We believe that using the EASY endoscopy simulator in addition to the endoscopy training model may be useful for training and recruitment of endoscopists.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AU_2AB

• Reference

• 1 Ferlitsch A, Glauninger P, Gupper A. et al. Evaluation of a virtual endoscopy simulator for training in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Endoscopy 2002; 34: 698-702