title: Surgical residents' perceptions on learning gastrointestinal endoscopy: more hours and more standardization wanted.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a complex task that involves an interaction of cognitive and manual skills. There is no consensus on the optimal way to teach endoscopy. We sought to evaluate our formal endoscopy curriculum for general surgery trainees to improve the effectiveness and quality of the endoscopy teaching in this program.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted focus group sessions over a 2-year period. Participants were general surgery residents, who are at the end of their endoscopy training rotation. The goal was to obtain the opinions and perceptions of trainees actively involved in learning endoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based general surgery residency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Second-year general surgery residents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 24 residents participated in 7 focus group sessions over 2 years. Four central themes emerged that included training structure and expectations, development of endoscopy competence, teaching approaches and teaching tools, and recommendations for improvement of the training experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An assessment of the themes led to the following concrete suggestions for improvement: the development of an algorithmic approach to endoscopy for the novice learner, consideration to introduce additional experience in endoscopy later in the 5-year surgery program, and consideration to incorporate a train-the-trainer curriculum for faculty that teach endoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: maryanne.cooper@sunnybrook.ca.
authors.forename: Mary Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tinmouth
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; The Wilson Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Catharine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Carnahan
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Samir C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Research, Prevention and Cancer Control, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ritvo
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000193:education*; D017144:Focus Groups; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000193:education*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009864:Ontario
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Medical Knowledge; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; endoscopy; gastrointestinal/education; general surgery/education; surgical trainee perceptions