title: The status of gastrointestinal endoscopy by surgeons in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System. A survey.
abstract: Between January and December 1987, a survey was sent to all Chiefs of Surgery in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System to assess current practices of surgical endoscopy. Results of this survey have shown a significant involvement in flexible gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures by most surgical services, especially those affiliated with major resident teaching programs. Total number of procedures performed, based on the projections of numbers of cases as reported, indicate that approximately 60,000 gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures are currently performed by surgeons each year in the Veterans Administration system in order to assess the greater than 90,000 gastrointestinal operations performed. Results of the survey also indicate that Chiefs of Surgery in the VA system enjoy a wide range of support by Gastrointestinal (GI) Medical Services in the VA, but generally this support is adequate. Part-time and full-time surgeons in the VA need to increase overall Continuing Education activities in endoscopy as well as increase the number of surgeons affiliated with organizations interested in endoscopic care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia 29203.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013502:General Surgery; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D014481:United States