Teaching the next endoscopy teacher: a novel curriculum for senior gastroenterology fellows to improve their confidence in teaching endoscopy

Abstract

Background and aims

Gastroenterology fellowship focuses on ensuring independent clinical competency, including proficiency with endoscopic procedures. However, there is currently no formalized training to ensure that fellows can effectively teach procedures to trainees before finishing fellowship and starting a faculty position.

Methods

A needs assessment survey was performed with junior faculty to understand common challenges in early career endoscopy teaching. A 1-hour endoscopy teaching workshop for fellows was designed to address identified deficiencies. Second-, third-, and fourth-year fellows participated in this workshop, followed by a 4-hour endoscopy session to practice teaching endoscopy to a first-year fellow under attending supervision. Serial surveys and a focus group were conducted to collect data on fellows’ confidence and experience with teaching endoscopy.

Results

All survey items related to general teaching ability and giving feedback showed improvement after the endoscopy workshop and in-person teaching session. The focus group identified impactful aspects of the curriculum, including the opportunity for senior fellows to reflect on their own procedural skills and teaching ability during the in-person endoscopy session.

Conclusions

An endoscopy teaching workshop followed by an in-person teaching experience is an effective method to introduce fellows to endoscopy teaching concepts and allow real-world practice in a safe learning environment. Future studies will need to assess whether this curriculum can directly improve teaching ability when fellows start their first faculty position.