GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPIC TRAINING WITH ADULT PATIENTS FOR PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGISTS IN PARALLEL WITH PEDIATRIC PRACTICE

Abstract

The provision of pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy by a pediatric gastroenterologist is ideal because of their knowledge about disease and sedation specific to children. In Japan, there are limited opportunities for pediatric gastroenterologists to learn endoscopy, and the volume of endoscopic procedures necessary to improve and maintain the quality of endoscopic techniques is insufficient when treating pediatric patients only. At our hospital, pediatric gastroenterologists undergo weekly endoscopic training with adult patients in the gastroenterology department in parallel with pediatric practice. During this training, pediatric gastroenterologists experience more than 300 endoscopies annually, and sufficient endoscopic proficiency levels are achieved. We report this as a model of endoscopic training for pediatric gastroenterologists. In Japan, cooperation with gastroenterologists who treat adult patients is necessary to establish this pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopic training system.