An analysis of the learning curve to achieve competency at colonoscopy using the JETS database.
OBJECTIVE
The number of colonoscopies required to reach competency is not well established. The primary aim of this study was to determine the number of colonoscopies trainees need to perform to attain competency, defined by a caecal intubation rate (CIR) ≥90%. As competency depends on completion, we also investigated trainee factors that were associated with colonoscopy completion.


METHODS
The Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy in the UK has developed a trainee e-portfolio from which colonoscopy data were retrieved. Inclusion criteria were all trainees who had performed a total of ≥20 colonoscopies and had performed ≤50 colonoscopies prior to submission of data to the e-portfolio. The primary outcome measure was colonoscopy completion. The number of colonoscopies required to achieve CIR ≥90% was calculated by the moving average method and learning curve cumulative summation (LC-Cusum) analysis. To determine factors which determine colonoscopy completion, a mixed effect logistic regression model was developed which allowed for nesting of patients within trainees and nesting of patients within hospitals, with various patient, trainee and training factors entered as fixed effects.


RESULTS
297 trainees undertook 36 730 colonoscopies. By moving average analysis, the cohort of trainees reached a CIR of 90% at 233 procedures. By LC-Cusum analysis, 41% of trainees were competent after 200 procedures. Of the trainee factors, the number of colonoscopies, intensity of training and previous flexible sigmoidoscopy experience were significant factors associated with colonoscopy completion.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest study to date investigating the number of procedures required to achieve competency in colonoscopy. The current training certification benchmark in the UK of 200 procedures does not appear to be an inappropriate minimum requirement. The LC-Cusum chart provides real time feedback on individual learning curves for trainees. The association of training intensity and flexible sigmoidoscopy experience with colonoscopy completion could be exploited in training programmes.
Centre for Liver Research and NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Unit, Level 5 Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Stephen Thomas
ST
Ward
School of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
Mohammed A
MA
Mohammed
Department of Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Robert
R
Walt
Department of Gastroenterology, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK.
Roland
R
Valori
Department of Gastroenterology and GI Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Tariq
T
Ismail
Department of Gastroenterology, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK.
Paul
P
Dunckley
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000193:education; D019992:Databases as Topic; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D016015:Logistic Models
Colonoscopy