Training pathway

In the UK, the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy provides a structured framework for training and accreditation for conventional flexible GI endoscopy. One of the core objectives of the JAG is to agree on, and set acceptable standards for, competence in endoscopic procedures, where possible using an evidence-based approach to develop training and accreditation processes. SBCE courses have existed for many years in the UK; however, the widespread availability of and increase in demand for SBCE have mandated the need for a formal training pathway and accreditation process.

To certify competent practice, measurable competency indicators and outcomes needed to be defined and assessment processes developed. The development of the national JAG-approved SBCE training curriculum is described henceforth.

Overview

A curriculum is used to define essential and recommended knowledge, skills and behaviours and to provide a framework for progression at each stage in training. Standardisation of training pathways allows a closer understanding of the factors affecting the learning curves of the trainees. There are a number of facets unique to training in CE that warrant discussion. In contrast to conventional fibre-optic endoscopy, image interpretation is much the primary skill and is performed separately from the CE procedure itself. Interpretation of capsule videos requires a skill set based on observation and recognition of findings and an understanding of their significance in the context of the indication for CE.7 The scope of training will therefore vary between individuals based on their experience in endoscopy and their professional background, and there may be a wide variation in progress through competency levels on the learning curve and when training waypoints are reached between individual trainees. Overall, it is recommended that this hands-on training (both in performing the procedure and operation of CE software) and more intensive mentored CE reading and reporting will take place over a year.

Core curriculum

JAG certification standards have been developed such that outcomes of training should be linked to both the mastery of a technical skill and advising on further management based on CE findings. The core curriculum for CE provides information to the trainee and trainers about areas of practice which are considered essential to the understanding of the indications for the test, recognising possible complications, patient-specific factors and complimentary or alternative approaches (eg, SB radiology). The core curriculum focuses on background knowledge required to provide informed consent, support clinical decision-making, accurate reporting and appropriate aftercare advice (eg, the need for further device-assisted enteroscopy or imaging). The two main processes in CE involve setting up the equipment and the capsule procedure itself, followed by interpretation of the videos and writing the report which guides the referrer on future management of any findings seen. Additionally, it may also involve administration of a luminal patency capsule (PillCam Patency, Medtronic) in advance of the CE and endoscopic placement of the capsule in some instances. Each of these elements are included in the curriculum and are assessed by the training pathway. Although upper GI endoscopy experience is desirable, it is not a prerequisite to training in SBCE as competency can be achieved in the absence of previous endoscopy experience.8

The proposed SBCE curriculum is detailed elsewhere.9 Such a structured SBCE curriculum could be included in the core UK gastroenterology curriculum; however, with specialty gastroenterology training being reviewed in the UK as part of the Shape of Training review,10 training in SBCE is likely to remain optional and may in the future fall into the GMC plans for credentialing or become part of a larger subspecialty in the management of SB pathology. The training programme is equally applicable to all advanced clinical practitioners within a regulated healthcare profession. The structured training elements which accompany the curriculum are the completion of an electronic learning module and attendance at a CE course. Achieving proficiency and demonstrating competency will then be met by local training guided by Direct Observation of Procedural Skill (DOPS) assessments and delivered in centres with appropriate experience and expertise. A summary of the CE training and certification pathway is illustrated in figure 1.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Figure 1

Capsule endoscopy training and certification pathway.

E-learning module

The interpretation of SBCE is performed by reviewing images after the procedure, as opposed to the live image interpretation of conventional endoscopy. Training and assessment can be performed by using videos (whole videos or video segments, and showing normal mucosa and pathology) from a purpose made library. Such computer-aided training modules have been shown to improve lesion recognition, irrespective of level of experience, among both gastroenterology trainees and medical students.11 As a primer to SBCE, four modules have been developed in conjunction with NHS e-learning for health to introduce trainees to the technical aspects of CE (two modules), standardised images of relevant normal variants (one module) and pathological findings (one module).12 These modules are mapped to the curriculum and it is proposed that these modules be completed during training in CE prior to certification.

CE courses

Structured courses that include at least 6 hours of hands-on training in reading and interpreting CE cases have been used successfully in Europe.13 The learning objectives of a JAG-approved CE course are illustrated in table 1.14 Delegates are exposed to didactic training about the procedure and use of equipment, the evidence behind the indications, contraindications and complications of CE and adjuncts such as patency capsules and capsule delivery devices. During the hands-on sessions, delegates review a series of capsule videos guided by an expert. Each case is focused on a specific lesson in capsule video interpretation, from use of software to the identification of landmarks, normal variants, benign and pathological findings. Importantly, how these findings contribute to aftercare decisions are emphasised, for example, the further need for device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) to investigate pathology or abdominal radiography in cases of incomplete SB examinations. The benefit of such an approach is that each successive case that follows allows new knowledge to be acquired while reinforcing earlier lessons fundamental to accurate interpretation. As a significant proportion of capsule examinations do not yield significant findings, a large repository of select short capsule videos means different examples of normal variants, common and less common pathologies such as SB diverticula and tumours will be studied during the hands-on sessions.

The aim of these courses is to enable delegates to recognise a wide range of SB pathologies while improving uniformity in interpretation and reporting of SB pathology in line with capsule endoscopy standard terminology.15 These courses have been shown to improve delegates’ diagnostic skills. Ten short CE videos were used to test the performance of delegates of 17 European courses in the identification of pathology pre course and post course.16 Baseline scores were higher among those with previous experience in capsule and flexible endoscopy. However, improvements in delegates’ ability to classify the types and relevance of SB findings were found irrespective of baseline experience.

Local training

In the training pathway, e-learning and structured capsule courses are mandatory adjuncts to local training. A trainee with the desire to pursue CE should be supported by a training unit with a CE service that meets certain criteria; it should comprise of a minimum of two consultant gastroenterologists reporting CE and an endoscopist able to deploy a capsule endoscope using a conventional endoscope when this is necessary. It is essential that the service be supported by allied healthcare professional experienced in performing patency capsule and CE procedures. The service should perform a minimum of 100 SB capsule endoscopies per annum and have on site DAE or close links to centres with an established referral pathway. Training should cover SB anatomy and physiology, indications for and risk of CE, patient assessment and selection and alternative investigations. Hands-on training alongside a CE expert, with double reading, is the mainstay of learning to interpret capsule videos. Trainers read the same videos in tandem although not necessarily simultaneously with the trainee and feedback is given to the trainee on the accuracy of reading and reporting. The trainee will require access to CE reading and reporting software, the JAG endoscopy training system portfolio and thus CE DOPS forms. Trainers should be reading capsules routinely, have a lifetime experience of more than 200 procedures and have a portfolio demonstrating training competence and continuing professional development in CE. Where individual units are unable to meet these requirements, collaborations between neighbouring centres may be established to provide training opportunities.

Competency assessment

Unlike conventional endoscopy, CE relies on visual interpretation of images alone, rather than operator manipulation of an endoscope and so there are no key performance indicators for CE analogous to caecal or duodenal intubation. Furthermore, there is a wide variability in the learning curve between trainees in CE, in particular with interpretation of capsule videos.11 17–19

Rajan et al reported on structured training and assessment of GI fellows who had completed a 24-month fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in the USA, but had no experience in CE.18 Participants underwent a structured training programme in CE, involving didactic teaching and a variable number of supervised capsule reading, following which they undertook a Capsule Competency Test (CapCT). The CapCT tests trainee’s knowledge of SBCE (indications, contraindications and possible complications), ability to identify, interpret and document findings. This was achieved using a combination of multiple choice questions, assessments on eight video clips and review of a full CE case with complete procedural reporting. The CapCT scores of the trainees, who had between 5 and 35 supervised reads with expert endoscopists, showed no difference between trainee and staff grade capsule endoscopists after 20 supervised reads. It should be pointed out however, this learning curve represents a cohort of trainees in the advance stages of their gastroenterology training having performed a significant number of gastroscopies, colonoscopies and push enteroscopies. No association between CapCT scores and number of endoscopic procedures performed were seen.

In addition to performing CE procedures, specialist nurses acting as physician extenders also have a role in the reading and interpretation of capsule videos.20 21 Using a standardised pro forma of findings and feedback from physician reviewers, nurses with 3 days of training in prereading capsule procedures had consistent agreement with physician reviewers after an initial 80 procedures.17 Therefore, the move towards competency being based on assessment of proficiency rather than experience based on number of videos read/procedures performed has been adopted in CE. Endoscopy experience may be beneficial in helping trainees initially interpret CE more accurately but not necessary for achieving CE competence.8 16 22 A recent European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy position statement on SBCE training recommend a minimum number of 30 procedures are reviewed under supervision before assessment of competency.23 Given the paucity of evidence, especially among physician extenders, the JAG recommend that a minimum of 50 CE procedures are undertaken prior to assessment of competence.

During the training programme, assessment of progress is achieved using DOPS tools. The DOPS is an established and validated tool to assess competence and is based on the degree of supervision required in different domains relevant to the endoscopic modality.24 The purpose of formative DOPS is to document changes in proficiency over the course of training. Two types of DOPS tools have been designed for CE: Capsule procedure DOPS and capsule reporting DOPS (C-RX). The capsule procedure DOPS covers procedural aspects including equipment use, performing patency procedures and scans, the capsule procedure and endoscopic placement. Endoscopic placement of capsule endoscopes is an optional competency in only those trainees with suitable upper GI endoscopy experience. The C-RX DOPS assesses capsule video reading, interpretation and reporting performed during tandem reading of videos by trainer and trainee. It is recommended that the respective formative DOPS are completed for every 10 procedures performed or reported. Competency and suitability for certification is considered when the most recent two DOPS of each type scores competent for independent practice and C-RX demonstrate parity between trainee and trainer.

Competency certification

The proposed certification pathway involves satisfactory completion of e-learning modules, attendance at a JAG-accredited CE course and completion of at least five formative capsule DOPS and five C-RX DOPS, followed by two summative capsule DOPS and CR-X assessments prior to local sign off by a trainer (figure 1). Following this, a knowledge-based assessment examination should be passed prior to certification of competence in SBCE. This examination is scenario based with images in a single best answer format and includes questions on identification of pathology, reporting significance of findings and immediate management, indications and procedural risk.