You are here

Article Text

Article menu

Download PDFPDF

Training matters
Original research
Endoscopy training through the COVID-19 pandemic: maintaining procedural volumes and key performance standards
  1. Caroline Conlon1,
  2. John Campion1,
  3. Niamh Mehigan Farrelly1,
  4. Eabha Ring1,
  5. Talulla Dunne1,
  6. Dora Gorman1,
  7. Suzanne Murphy1,
  8. Barry Kelleher1,2,
  9. Stephen Stewart1,2,
  10. Jan Leyden1,2,
  11. Conor Lahiff1,2
  1. 1 Gastrointestinal Unit, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
  2. 2 School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
  1. Correspondence to Dr Conor Lahiff, Gastrointestinal Unit, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; conorlahiff{at}mater.ie

Abstract

Objective Endoscopy departments have experienced considerable challenges in the provision of endoscopy services since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several studies have reported a reduction of procedures performed by trainee endoscopists during the pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the impact on colonoscopy training and quality in an academic centre throughout successive waves of the pandemic.

Methods This was a single-centre, retrospective, observational study comparing colonoscopies performed at a tertiary endoscopy centre in Ireland at different stages of the pandemic with those performed during a similar time frame prepandemic. Data were collected using electronic patient records. Primary outcomes were procedure volumes, adenoma detection rate and mean adenoma per procedure.

Results In the prepandemic period, 798 colonoscopies were performed. During the same period in 2020, 172 colonoscopies were performed. In 2021, during the third wave of the pandemic, 538 colonoscopies were performed. Percentages of colonoscopies performed by trainees were 46.0% (n=367) in 2019, 25.6% (n=44) in 2020 and 45.2% (n=243) in 2021. Adenoma detection rate was 21.3% in 2019, 38.6% in 2020 and 23.9% in 2021. Mean adenoma per procedure was 0.45 in 2019, 0.86 in 2020 and 0.49 in 2021. Caecal intubation rate was 90.74% in 2019, 90.9% in 2020 and 95.88% in 2021.

Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic initially had a negative impact on overall colonoscopy volumes and training. Despite a reduction in procedural volume, key performance standards were maintained by trainees. Maintenance of hands-on training is essential to allow trainees achieve and retain competency in endoscopy.

  • ENDOSCOPY
  • COLONOSCOPY
  • COVID-19

Data availability statement

Data are available on reasonable request.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.

https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2021-102069

Statistics from Altmetric.com

    Request Permissions

    If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

    What is already known about this subject?

    • Maintenance of hands-on training for gastrointestinal (GI) trainees is crucial to achieve and maintain skills in a procedural specialty. Achievement and maintenance of competency in endoscopy for GI trainees during the pandemic has been a focus of concern. Several studies have reported a reduction of endoscopic procedures performed by trainee endoscopists in the early months of the pandemic. There is little published data on the recovery of trainee endoscopic experience as the pandemic has progressed.

    What are the new findings?

    • A marked reduction in colonoscopy case volume was observed in the first wave. Following a review of trainee experience in 2020, measures were put in place to protect endoscopy training volumes for trainees in our department. Despite the high incidence of COVID-19 during the third wave in Ireland (Winter 2021), a much smaller reduction in the number of colonoscopies performed by trainees was observed in comparison with the first wave in our institution.

    How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future?

    • Safeguarding endoscopy training is essential to allow GI trainees achieve and maintain competency in endoscopy and to provide a steady stream of trained endoscopists to support healthcare systems into the future.

    Practical measures to supplement hands-on endoscopy training

    Interactive online sessions and small group tutorials focusing on;

    • Knowledge of equipment—including individual endoscopes, endoscopy stack units, snares, clips, diathermy units…

    • Technical theory—for example, theory of managing loops, use of snares, application of clips…

    • Pathology recognition—for example, polyp classifications (morphology and pit architecture), commonly used endoscopic scoring systems (Barrett’s oesophagus, oesophageal varices, inflammatory bowel disease)…

    • Small group review of live-recorded clinical case-based vignettes.

    Introduction

    In Spring 2020, guidelines for the safe practice of endoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic were introduced in Europe.1–3 Endoscopy units transformed to comply with guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect patients and staff. Many units experienced a marked decrease in case volume,4–8 prioritising urgent and emergent patients. Efforts were made to reduce staff numbers in procedure rooms because of concerns about continued supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety of endoscopists. These adjustments resulted in reduced opportunities for endoscopy training during the first wave.9 Endoscopy units have adjusted to ensure continued focus on high-quality procedures. While early data suggest that this has been maintained,10 further data are needed, particularly considering clear evidence of delays in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and management11 and data projections suggesting these delays will have an impact on cancer related mortality for up to 5 years.12 It is therefore imperative that all endoscopy units focus efforts on maintaining procedure volumes, quality and training to mitigate this effect as much as possible.

    Many countries worldwide have experienced multiple waves of the virus, causing repeated interruptions to healthcare. Although we have become more experienced in dealing with COVID-19 and its management as a result of improved knowledge of its virulence and pathophysiology,13 elective healthcare provision remains a considerable challenge.

    In Ireland, routine elective care was cancelled during the Spring 2020 and Winter 2021 surges. Staff shortages were widespread due to COVID-19 precautions. Redeployment of non-consultant hospital doctors, including gastroenterology trainees, to care for and manage patients with COVID-19-related illness was implemented.

    The endoscopy training environment has changed dramatically. Redeployment of staff, a sustained reduction in endoscopy procedures, cancellation of routine elective care, and early concern in relation to possible shortages of PPE have led to considerable challenges for the continuation of endoscopy services across Europe since the start of the pandemic.

    The aim of this study was to assess the impact on colonoscopy training and quality in an academic centre over the course of successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Methods

    This was a single-centre, retrospective, observational study comparing colonoscopies performed at a high-volume tertiary endoscopy centre in Ireland at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic with those performed during a similar time frame prepandemic. The first date of implementation of COVID-19 endoscopy precautions represents the start date of the 2020 data set (16 March 2020). The length of this time period reflects the duration of the first wave in Ireland (March to June 2020), with the end point corresponding with a decline in national COVID-19 case numbers and associated easing of restrictions as lockdowns were slowly reversed. The 2019 time period mirrors the 2020 dates (March to June 2019). The third period studied correlates with the third wave of the pandemic in Ireland (January to March 2021).

    Colonoscopies were performed by gastroenterology consultants, trainees under consultant supervision and nurse endoscopists. Gastrointestinal (GI) trainee assisted colonoscopies were colonoscopies that required hands-on assistance from a supervising consultant.

    Data, including patient demographics, endoscopist key performance indicators (KPIs), pathology yields and histology, were collected using electronic patient records. Primary outcomes were procedure volumes, adenoma detection rate (ADR) and mean adenoma per procedure (MAP). ADR was defined as the proportion of colonoscopies during which one or more adenoma(s) was biopsied or removed. MAP was calculated by dividing the total number of adenomas detected by the total number of colonoscopies in each time period. Sessile serrated lesions detected were included with traditional adenomas for these calculations.

    In an attempt to compensate for reduced exposure to hands-on training, we delivered a number of consultant-led online and small group teaching sessions, focusing on endoscopy theory, technical aspects of common scenarios (eg, management of looping, use of snares), pathology recognition and appropriate use of common endoscopic scoring systems.

    Study outcomes are reported in accordance with STROBE guidelines for observational research.14

    Results

    During the reference period (March to June 2019), 798 colonoscopies were performed. During the same period in 2020, 172 colonoscopies were performed. In 2021, during the third wave of the pandemic, 538 colonoscopies were performed (table 1, figure 1).

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Comparison of colonoscopy volumes in pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, GI, gastrointestinal.

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Baseline characteristics of colonoscopies performed by GI trainees

    The majority of colonoscopies were performed by a consultant (2019: n=402, 50.4%; 2020: n=126, 73.3%; 2021: n=289, 53.7%). The percentages of colonoscopies performed by trainees were 46.0% (n=367) in 2019, 25.6% (n=44) in 2020 and 45.2% (n=243) in 2021 (figure 1). Levels of endoscopic experience varied from year 1 (novice <50 procedures) to year 5 (independent with >400 total colonoscopies with direct observation of procedural skills assessments completed to satisfactory level). Exact procedure numbers for individual trainees were not available, but the three time periods reviewed included procedures performed by 16 trainees; 5 of whom were year 1, 5 year 2, 1 year 4, 4 year five and 1 postcompletion of specialist training endoscopy fellow.

    A subgroup analysis of colonoscopies performed by trainees compares patient characteristics, casemix and indications for colonoscopies performed during each time period (table 1). Baseline patient characteristics were comparable across all three groups. A change in case-mix was observed in the first wave of COVID-19 (2020) compared with the prepandemic period (2019) and the third wave (2021). In the first wave of the pandemic, 50.0% (n=44) of colonoscopies were performed for inpatient referrals. In 2019 and 2021, the majority of cases (95.6% (n=351) and 89.7% (n=218), respectively) were day case outpatient procedures.

    The main indications for colonoscopy in the prepandemic period were polyp or CRC surveillance (21.0%), diarrhoea or alternating bowel habits (18.0%), anaemia (17.7%) and family history of polyps or CRC (17.2%). In 2020 and 2021, fewer surveillance colonoscopies were performed. The main indications included anaemia (2020: 43.2%; 2021: 18.1%), diarrhoea and alternating bowel habits (2020: 18.2%; 2021: 25.1%), and rectal bleeding (2020: 15.9%; 2021: 22.2%).

    Table 2 illustrates colonoscopy KPIs for trainees and pathology yields across the three time periods. KPIs included sedation rates, quality of bowel preparation, caecal intubation rates and withdrawal times (WT).

    View this table:
    Table 2

    The comparison of GI trainees’ KPIs and pathology identified

    Overall, 327 polyps were detected in colonoscopies performed by GI trainees in 2019. In 2020 and 2021, 54 and 186 polyps were detected, respectively. The ADR was 21.3% in 2019, 38.6% in 2020 and 23.9% in 2021. The MAP was 0.45 in 2019, 0.86 in 2020 and 0.49 in 2021.

    Discussion

    The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system and procedure waiting lists presents a significant challenge. With a reduction in endoscopy list size and cancellation of routine elective care intermittently throughout the pandemic, waiting lists have increased. The consequences of this are likely to be far reaching and long term.11 12

    In the first wave of the pandemic, there was a significant reduction in outpatient colonoscopies performed in our unit with a marked increase in the proportion of colonoscopies performed for inpatient referrals. This change in casemix corresponds to the cancellation of routine elective care with strict COVID-19 restrictions placed on endoscopy units. Outpatient numbers were reduced to allow for social distancing in the department, including the waiting room, preprocedure waiting area and postprocedure recovery area. In the early stages of the pandemic, a downtime period was observed in each endoscopy room between procedures to allow for cleaning. These necessary safety measures impacted negatively on the endoscopy list capacity. Despite a much higher incidence of COVID-19 infection nationally during the third wave, outpatient colonoscopy volumes did not decrease as significantly as during the first wave (table 1). Endoscopy guidelines have adapted over time,15 16 allowing for more efficient management of endoscopy lists, while continuing to provide a safe environment for patients and staff. PPE is more widely available. There is a greater awareness of the virus and how to manage it, as well as the availability of vaccines with most healthcare workers in Ireland receiving first doses during the month of January 2021. COVID-19 safety questionnaires are now completed by patients in advance of their appointments.

    The indications for colonoscopy differed between the prepandemic and pandemic time periods. The change of indications seen during the pandemic surges also reflects the suspension of routine elective care. Clinically urgent and time sensitive referrals were prioritised. The top three indications in 2020 and 2021 were related to higher risk symptoms, while fewer surveillance colonoscopies were performed.

    Colonoscopies performed under the national CRC screening programme were not included in our subgroup analysis as these procedures do not involve endoscopy trainees. While this programme was paused during the first wave of the pandemic in March 2020, it was re-commenced in June 2020 and continued through the second wave in 2021.17

    Bowel preparation scores were below the recommended level.18 The omission of screening and surveillance colonoscopies and the higher percentage of inpatients and symptomatic outpatients on the trainee lists may account for suboptimal preparations.

    Mean WT was significantly longer than the minimum 6 min standard recommended.18 WT is automatically calculated by our endoscopy reporting system and does not factor in procedural time (eg, polypectomy). A subgroup analysis of colonoscopies where no polypectomy was performed showed WTs to be shorter but still comfortably above the minimum standard (data not shown). It remains possible that an increased focus on theoretical training resulted in enhanced focus on quality for our trainees; although, we did not study this directly.

    Across all three time periods, ADRs were above recommended thresholds18; indicating the preservation of quality despite challenges encountered. There was a reduction in the number of polyps identified in 2020 due to reduced overall procedure volume. Fewer large polyps (>1 cm) were identified. For these reasons trainees had less exposure to standard and advanced polypectomy techniques, an important component of core colonoscopy training. Despite a reduction in overall polyp numbers, MAP in 2020 was almost twice that observed in 2019 and 2021. This no doubt reflects the narrower range of indications for colonoscopy during the first COVID-19 wave. There are clearly lessons to be learnt in terms of referral validation as we hopefully move out of the pandemic, including efforts to improve the specificity of our referral pathways by prioritising higher risk clinical indications and increasing availability of non-invasive methods (such as faecal immunochemical testing and calprotectin) as an adjunct to inform validation of referrals.

    The collateral damage of the pandemic in terms of non-covid related health outcomes is yet to be quantified. In their population-based study in 2020, Maringe et al 12 estimated that there will be a 15.3%–16.6% increase in CRC related mortality in the UK due to diagnostic delays associated with the pandemic. Our efforts to compensate for these delays and address the unavoidable care gaps already being experienced by patients will rely on a well-trained body of skilled endoscopists. Those currently in training are expected to play a central role. Several studies have reported a reduction of endoscopic procedures performed by trainee endoscopists in the early months of the pandemic. An international survey of 770 trainees across 63 countries published in April 2020 reported a median percentage reduction of 99% in the total procedures performed by the respondents compared with a prepandemic period.9 Similarly, a British Society of Gastroenterology survey distributed to UK trainees described a mean percentage reduction of 96.0% for all trainee procedures,19 with colonoscopies associated with the greatest mean percentage reduction (97.2%). Barriers to training identified in the literature include institutional policies to minimise staff in procedure rooms, reduced procedure volume and shortages of PPE.9 19–21

    Achievement and maintenance of competency in endoscopy for GI trainees during the pandemic has been a focus of concern.19 20 22–24 A reduction in case volume for trainees is associated with reduced opportunities to develop technical diagnostic and therapeutic procedural skills, including polypectomy, during a finite period of training. It is also associated with reduced exposure to the organisation and management of the endoscopy unit and the care of patients periprocedurally; aspects of endoscopy training that should not be overlooked. Ensuring adequate training is important to endoscopy services and is a key feature of endoscopy unit accreditation programmes.25 Strategies to safeguard endoscopy training during the pandemic have been proposed.26–28

    There is little published data on the recovery of trainee endoscopic experience as the pandemic has progressed. In this study, a marked reduction in colonoscopy case volume was observed for our trainees in the first wave. Following a review of trainee experience in 2020, measures were put in place to protect endoscopy training volumes for trainees in our department as well as supplementing hands-on training with video-based vignettes, web-based and small group lectures, focusing on pathology recognition, technical theory and endoscopic non-technical skills. Videos of live cases and samples of equipment were used as visual aids outside of the endoscopy room. Teaching sessions were led by gastroenterology consultants and were interactive. Formal assessment on the educational benefit of these interventions is ongoing. We propose to maintain and further develop these measures as an adjunct to hands on training in line with the National Endoscopy Programme’s training structures29 going forward.

    Despite the high incidence of COVID-19 nationally during the third wave, a much smaller reduction in the number of colonoscopies performed by trainees was observed in comparison with the first wave (table 1, figure 1), with a similar monthly daily average of colonoscopies performed by trainees towards the end of the third wave as compared with 2019 (figure 2). An increase in supervised procedures was observed in 2021, suggesting an improved training environment.

    Figure 2
    Figure 2

    The monthly daily average of colonoscopies performed by GI trainees (A) compared with the monthly daily average of COVID-19 cases in Ireland (B). GI, gastrointestinal.

    Six of the 16 trainees (38%) included in this study have since completed their specialist training. The remainder are still in training. While it appears that the most junior trainees were more severely affected by COVID-19 precautions in the endoscopy department during the first wave of the pandemic, with first year trainees initially excluded from lists to prevent prolonged procedures, it remains to be seen whether this will result in delays for these trainees reaching endoscopic competence. Our ability to adapt our training model and maintain quality is reassuring and it is clear that procedure volumes for all trainees have now recovered. The long-term impact of the pandemic on endoscopy training should be a focus for further study. It remains imperative that we continue to support all aspects of endoscopy training to ensure these trainees achieve competency on schedule.

    Conclusion

    Our data illustrate the negative impact the pandemic has had on overall colonoscopy volumes and training. Encouragingly, it does appear that the impact is lessening as we adapt to new ways of working. Safeguarding endoscopy training is essential to allow GI trainees achieve and maintain competency in endoscopy and to provide a steady stream of trained endoscopists to support healthcare systems in their efforts to regain lost ground and move forward.

    Data availability statement

    Data are available on reasonable request.

    Ethics statements

    Patient consent for publication

    Ethics approval

    The study was approved by the local research ethics committee at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin (ref. CA21-075).

    References

    1. ↵
      2. Gralnek IM ,
      3. Hassan C ,
      4. Beilenhoff U , et al
      . ESGE and ESGENA position statement on gastrointestinal endoscopy and the COVID-19 pandemic. Endoscopy 2020;52:483–90.doi:10.1055/a-1155-6229 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32303090
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    2. ↵
    3. ↵
      2. Ong J ,
      3. Cross GB ,
      4. Dan YY
      . Prevention of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 transmission in endoscopy: international recommendations and the need for a gold standard. Gut 2020;69:1145–8.doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2020-321154 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32241901
      OpenUrlFREE Full Text
    4. ↵
      2. Parasa S ,
      3. Reddy N ,
      4. Faigel DO , et al
      . Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on endoscopy: an international survey of 252 centers from 55 countries. Gastroenterology 2020;159:1579–81.doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.009 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32534934
      OpenUrlPubMed
    5. ↵
      2. Maida M ,
      3. Sferrazza S ,
      4. Savarino E , et al
      . Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastroenterology divisions in Italy: a national survey. Digestive and Liver Disease 2020;52:808–15.doi:10.1016/j.dld.2020.05.017
      OpenUrl
    6. ↵
      2. Boškoski I ,
      3. Pecere S ,
      4. Bove V , et al
      . Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on a high volume endoscopy center in Italy. Dig Liver Dis 2020;52:819–22.doi:10.1016/j.dld.2020.06.009 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32593516
      OpenUrlPubMed
    7. ↵
      2. Crespo J ,
      3. Fernández Carrillo C ,
      4. Iruzubieta P , et al
      . Massive impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on gastroenterology and hepatology departments and doctors in Spain. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021;36:1627–33.doi:10.1111/jgh.15340 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33184937
      OpenUrlPubMed
    8. ↵
      2. Zorniak M ,
      3. Sirtl S ,
      4. Mahajan UM , et al
      . Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic on Endoscopic Procedures in Two European Large-Capacity Endoscopy Units: "Keep Calm, Keep Safe and Scope on?". Dig Dis 2021;39:540–8.doi:10.1159/000511076 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32836219
      OpenUrlPubMed
    9. ↵
      2. Pawlak KM ,
      3. Kral J ,
      4. Khan R , et al
      . Impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy trainees: an international survey. Gastrointest Endosc 2020;92:925–35.doi:10.1016/j.gie.2020.06.010
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    10. ↵
      2. Teh KKJ ,
      3. Tay SW ,
      4. Chen K , et al
      . Impact of enhanced personal protective equipment on colonoscopy performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Endosc Int Open 2020;8:E809–14.doi:10.1055/a-1167-1703 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32523979
      OpenUrlPubMed
    11. ↵
      2. Morris EJA ,
      3. Goldacre R ,
      4. Spata E , et al
      . Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the detection and management of colorectal cancer in England: a population-based study. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021;6:199–208.doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(21)00005-4 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33453763
      OpenUrlPubMed
    12. ↵
      2. Maringe C ,
      3. Spicer J ,
      4. Morris M , et al
      . The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer deaths due to delays in diagnosis in England, UK: a national, population-based, modelling study. Lancet Oncol 2020;21:1023–34.doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30388-0 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32702310
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    13. ↵
      2. Cevik M ,
      3. Kuppalli K ,
      4. Kindrachuk J , et al
      . Virology, transmission, and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. BMJ 2020;371:m3862.doi:10.1136/bmj.m3862 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33097561
      OpenUrlFREE Full Text
    14. ↵
      2. von Elm E ,
      3. Altman DG ,
      4. Egger M , et al
      . The strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Lancet 2007;370:1453–7.doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61602-X pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18064739
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    15. ↵
      2. Rees CJ ,
      3. East JE ,
      4. Oppong K , et al
      . Restarting gastrointestinal endoscopy in the deceleration and early recovery phases of COVID-19 pandemic: guidance from the British Society of gastroenterology. Clin Med 2020;20:352–8.doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0296 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32518104
      OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    16. ↵
      2. Antonelli G ,
      3. Karstensen JG ,
      4. Bhat P
      . Resuming endoscopy during COVID-19 pandemic: ESGE, WEO and WGO joint guideline for resource limited settings. Endosc Int Open 2021;09:E543–51.
      OpenUrl
    17. ↵
      2. Ring E ,
      3. Conlon C ,
      4. Kerr H
      . eP512 the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the Irish national colorectal cancer screening programme: a report from two high-volume endoscopy centres. Endoscopy 2021;53:S268.
    18. ↵
      2. Kaminski MF ,
      3. Thomas-Gibson S ,
      4. Bugajski M , et al
      . Performance measures for lower gastrointestinal endoscopy: a European Society of gastrointestinal endoscopy (ESGE) quality improvement initiative. Endoscopy 2017;49:378–97.doi:10.1055/s-0043-103411 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28268235
      OpenUrlPubMed
    19. ↵
      2. Siau K ,
      3. Iacucci M ,
      4. Dunckley P , et al
      . The impact of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal endoscopy training in the United Kingdom. Gastroenterology 2020;159:1582–5.doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.015 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32553761
      OpenUrlPubMed
    20. ↵
      2. Clarke K ,
      3. Bilal M ,
      4. Sanchez-Luna SA
      . Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on training: global perceptions of gastroenterology and hepatology fellows in the USA. Dig Dis Sci 2020:1–5.
    21. ↵
      2. Chiriac S ,
      3. Stanciu C ,
      4. Cojocariu C , et al
      . The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastrointestinal endoscopy activity in a tertiary care center from northeastern Romania. Healthcare 2021;9:100.doi:10.3390/healthcare9010100 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33477942
      OpenUrlPubMed
    22. ↵
      2. Khan R ,
      3. Tandon P ,
      4. Scaffidi MA , et al
      . COVID-19 and Canadian gastroenterology trainees. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2021;4:156–62.doi:10.1093/jcag/gwaa034 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34056533
      OpenUrlPubMed
    23. ↵
      2. Kumar S ,
      3. Prenner S ,
      4. Kochman ML
      . The impact of COVID-19 on endoscopic training. Am J Gastroenterol 2020;115:1142–3.doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000716 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32618674
      OpenUrlPubMed
    24. ↵
      2. Karampekos G ,
      3. Gkolfakis P ,
      4. Tziatzios G , et al
      . Differences between fellows and fellowship program directors in their perception of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastroenterology training: results from a nationwide survey in Greece. Ann Gastroenterol 2020;33:680–6.doi:10.20524/aog.2020.0546 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33162746
      OpenUrlPubMed
    25. ↵
      1. Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy
      . Joint Advisory group on gastrointestinal endoscopy (JAG) accreditation standards for endoscopy services. Available: https://www.thejag.org.uk/Downloads/JAG/Accreditation/JAG%20accreditation%20standards%20for%20endoscopy%20services.pdf [Accessed 18 Jul 2021].
    26. ↵
      2. Aguila EJT ,
      3. Sy-Janairo MLL ,
      4. Francisco CPD
      . GI fellowship in the time of COVID-19: moving forward. United European Gastroenterol J 2020;8:974–6.doi:10.1177/2050640620944723 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32669044
      OpenUrlPubMed
    27. ↵
      American Society for gastrointestinal endoscopy: guidance for trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gastrointest Endosc 2020;92:748–53.doi:10.1016/j.gie.2020.05.032 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32485214
      OpenUrlPubMed
    28. ↵
      2. Keswani RN ,
      3. Sethi A ,
      4. Repici A , et al
      . How to maximize trainee education during the coronavirus Disease-2019 pandemic: perspectives from around the world. Gastroenterology 2020;159:26–9.doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.012 pmid:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32387540
      OpenUrlPubMed
    29. ↵
      1. National Endoscopy Training Committee (Ireland)
      . Competency model for skills training in gastrointestinal endoscopy in Ireland. version 1.0, 2021. Available: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/clinical-programmes/endoscopy-programme/programme-documents/competency-model-for-skills-training-in-gi-endoscopy-in-ireland.pdf [Accessed 18 Mar 2022].

    Footnotes

    • Contributors CC reviewed the literature, collected data and drafted the manuscript. JC collected data and drafted the manuscript. NMF, ER, TD, DG and SM collected data. BK, SS, JL and CL were involved in endoscopy training throughout the pandemic and measures to support endoscopy trainees. CL supervised data collection and drafted the manuscript and is the guarantor. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.