Structured endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) training program improved knowledge and skills of trainees: Results from the Asian EUS Group

Background and Aim A major reason impeding the growth of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in Asia is the lack of training availability. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of a short-term structured EUS training program in improving the knowledge and skill of EUS among trainees. Methods The study was conducted in six workshops in six countries including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Philippines, within a year. Trainees were evaluated using written and skill tests before and after completion of the training. Results Pre- and post-workshop written tests from a total of 62 trainees were analyzed. Compared with pre-training, the trainees improved significantly in the overall mean (± SD) scores after the training (66.0 ± 0.3% to 77.5 ± 0.2%, P < 0.0001). Thirty-one trainees were randomly selected to undergo a skill test before and after the course. Compared with pre-training, the proportions of trainees who succeeded in locating each structure post-training were: celiac axis (36–80.5%), pancreatic body (51.5–80.5%), pancreatic body and tail (42–77.5%), splenic vein and artery (48.5–84%), left kidney (60–83%), and spleen (47–83%). Overall, there was a significant improvement in the proportion of trainees’ successful localization of structures post-training compared to before training (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Following a structured training program, trainees’ knowledge and skills in EUS improved significantly. Structured training courses appear to be an effective way of imparting EUS knowledge and skills to aspiring endosonographers in the Asian region.