Integrated flexible endoscopy training during surgical residency.

BACKGROUND: New advances in endoscopic surgery make it imperative that future gastrointestinal surgeons obtain adequate endoscopy skills. An evaluation of the 2001-02 general surgery residency endoscopy experience at the University of Missouri revealed that chief residents were graduating with an average of 43 endoscopic cases. This met American Board of Surgery (ABS) and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements but is inadequate preparation for carrying out advanced endoscopic surgery. Our aim was to determine if endoscopy volume could be improved by dedicating specific staff surgeon time to a gastrointestinal diagnostic center at an affiliated Veterans Administration Hospital. METHODS: During the academic years 2002-05, two general surgeons who routinely perform endoscopy staffed the gastrointestinal endoscopy center at the Harry S. Truman Hospital two days per week. A minimum of one categorical surgical resident participated during these endoscopy training days while on the Veterans Hospital surgical service. A retrospective observational review of ACGME surgery resident case logs from 2001 to 2005 was conducted to document the changes in resident endoscopy experience. The cases were compiled by postgraduate year (PGY). RESULTS: Resident endoscopy case volume increased 850% from 2001 to 2005. Graduating residents completed an average of 161 endoscopies. Endoscopic experience was attained at all levels of training: 26, 21, 34, 23, and 26 mean endoscopies/year for PGY-1 to PGY-5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Having specific endoscopy training days at a VA Hospital under the guidance of a dedicated staff surgeon is a successful method to improve surgical resident endoscopy case volume. An integrated endoscopy training curriculum results in early skills acquisition, continued proficiency throughout residency, and is an efficient way to obtain endoscopic skills. In addition, the foundation of flexible endoscopic skill and experience has allowed early integration of surgery residents into research efforts in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Improving rates for screening colonoscopy: Analysis of the health information national trends survey (HINTS I) data.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is an effective modality for colorectal cancer screening. The objectives of this study were to identify colorectal cancer knowledge and barriers to screening colonoscopy in the general US population. METHODS: Data was obtained from the health information national trends survey (HINTS I). The dataset (n = 6369) examined the influence of age, race, gender, education, income, media usage, and interactions with health care providers on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding colonoscopic screening for colorectal cancer. RESULTS: The term 'colonoscopy' was recognized by 80% of participants (over the age of 35), however only 35% of respondents perceived it as a major method for colon cancer screening. Hispanics had the least awareness of colonoscopic screening (16% versus 39% non-Hispanic). Female gender, education, and income all correlated with knowledge and use of colonoscopic screening. There was a positive correlation between media usage and having a colonoscopy (r = 0.095, p < 0.01). Having a health care provider was strongly correlated with having undergone a colonoscopy (r = 0.249, p < 0.01). Reasons for not having a colonoscopy were 'no reason' (29%), 'doctor didn't order it' (24%), and 'didn't know I needed the test' (15%). Personalized materials were the preferred media for receiving cancer-related information. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of and participation in screening colonoscopy is low in the US population, especially among Hispanics. The most important immediate action is to increase physician referral for screening colonoscopy. Education materials focused on specific sociodemographic segments and targeted communication campaigns need to be developed to encourage screening.