Non-technical skills in GI endoscopy as a unit quality measure

Abstract

The quality of care in a gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy unit is generally evaluated using metrics that primarily focus on the technical aspects of procedures such as diagnostic accuracy, complication rates, and the quality of bowel preparation. However, non-technical skills (NTS), which include cognitive, interpersonal, and social skills, have been increasingly recognized as crucial factors influencing patient outcomes and the efficiency of endoscopic procedures. This article explores the concept of NTS, reviews the evidence supporting their role as a quality assurance tool in medicine, discusses their impact in the context of gastrointestinal endoscopy, and examines how they can be used as a quality measure for GI endoscopy units.