title: [Competence -- the way to surgical endoscopy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a continuing debate about competence for flexible endoscopy in regard to surgery.
  The theoretical and clinical basis of diagnostic/interventional endoscopy is analyzed; as a result it can be demonstrated that surgery offers ideal prerequisites for performing endoscopy due to specific training and clinical experience. There are specially designed and certified training systems for flexible endoscopy--analogous to approved training courses in minimal-invasive surgery. Relevant progress in interventional endoscopy in the past and present has been obtained by surgical endoscopies. Those involved in interdisciplinary disputes increasingly come to the conclusion that cooperation instead of confrontation should be the aim of all efforts, thus offering advantages to all participants of such a cooperation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgery should preserve and develop further its competence in flexible endoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Universitätskliniken, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, 72076 Tübingen.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Grund
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schumpelick
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011786:Quality Control; D012106:Research