CURRENT CONDITIONS OF TRAINING MODELS AND SIMULATORS FOR ENDOSCOPY AND RELATED TREATMENTS IN JAPAN

Abstract

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is an essential tool in gastrointestinal care. It plays a key role not only in the examination and diagnosis but also in the treatment of gastrointestinal issues. Endoscopic care includes cholangiopancreatography, ultrasound endoscopy, ESD, hemostasis, and foreign body removal, in addition to the usual upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Various types of training models and simulators have been developed for application in endoscopic care. They are used for practice by beginner endoscopists and for teaching residents or students. Training models have the advantage of simplicity and low cost; nevertheless, simulators are superior, in that they allow training in a wide variety of endoscopic examinations and procedures. We hope that training models and simulators can be used effectively in practice and instruction to improve individual endoscopic skills and actual clinical work.