Cognitive apprenticeship: a key component of contemporary endoscopy education

Gastrointestinal endoscopy education and training in the UK has changed dramatically in recent years. The impetus for change was driven by the National Endoscopy Training Programme and a national training centre network. Endoscopy practice requires diverse skills and qualities, traversing the traditional cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains. This article explores the concept of cognitive apprenticeship and aligns it with typical endoscopy training. The application of supporting structures offers effective means of assisting learners through their training pathway from novice to expert. Cognitive apprenticeship is a model that can be effectively applied to endoscopy training. Through careful alignment of theoretical and practical activities with context rich, authentic situations, learners are afforded a safe, robust environment to develop and extend their skills.