A survey of the current experience of colonoscopy training for colorectal surgical trainees in the United Kingdom
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction The primary aim was to understand the current experience of colonoscopy training among general surgical trainees with a subspeciality interest in colorectal surgery.
Methods An electronic survey was developed and disseminated by members of the Dukes’ Club (colorectal trainees network) and Association of Coloproctologists of Great Britain and Ireland colonoscopy subcommittee between February and April 2024 to assess key themes identified through formal and informal feedback from colorectal trainees of endoscopy training experience.
Results The survey was completed by 196 participants. This included 13.3% from core trainee (CT) 2 -speciality trainee (ST) 4, 28.6% from ST5-ST6, 36.5% from ST7-ST8, 13.3% from post-certificate for completion of training fellows, senior clinical fellows and speciality and specialist (SAS) doctors and 8.7% from early years consultants. The median number of colonoscopies performed by respondents was 121.6 (range 0–8000). Only 33.7% (66/196) reported having one dedicated training list per week, and 56.6% (111/196) were not allocated to any regular training list. The barriers to training were service provision (71.9%), lack of dedicated training lists (69.9%) and access to training lists due to other trainees or healthcare professionals (42.3%). Only 25% of respondents had experience of immersion training, but they consistently reported high numbers of colonoscopy during these periods, with 40% achieving more than 30 colonoscopies.
Conclusion There is an urgent need to improve access to colonoscopy training. Regular endoscopy training lists and funding of academies and immersion training centrally are likely to greatly improve the experience of colonoscopy training. Senior colorectal trainees should be prioritised to avoid delay in the completion of training.
Methods An electronic survey was developed and disseminated by members of the Dukes’ Club (colorectal trainees network) and Association of Coloproctologists of Great Britain and Ireland colonoscopy subcommittee between February and April 2024 to assess key themes identified through formal and informal feedback from colorectal trainees of endoscopy training experience.
Results The survey was completed by 196 participants. This included 13.3% from core trainee (CT) 2 -speciality trainee (ST) 4, 28.6% from ST5-ST6, 36.5% from ST7-ST8, 13.3% from post-certificate for completion of training fellows, senior clinical fellows and speciality and specialist (SAS) doctors and 8.7% from early years consultants. The median number of colonoscopies performed by respondents was 121.6 (range 0–8000). Only 33.7% (66/196) reported having one dedicated training list per week, and 56.6% (111/196) were not allocated to any regular training list. The barriers to training were service provision (71.9%), lack of dedicated training lists (69.9%) and access to training lists due to other trainees or healthcare professionals (42.3%). Only 25% of respondents had experience of immersion training, but they consistently reported high numbers of colonoscopy during these periods, with 40% achieving more than 30 colonoscopies.
Conclusion There is an urgent need to improve access to colonoscopy training. Regular endoscopy training lists and funding of academies and immersion training centrally are likely to greatly improve the experience of colonoscopy training. Senior colorectal trainees should be prioritised to avoid delay in the completion of training.
Date Issued
2026-07-01
Date Acceptance
2025-05-16
Citation
Frontline Gastroenterology, 2026, 17 (4), pp.306-311
ISSN
2041-4145
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Start Page
306
End Page
311
Journal / Book Title
Frontline Gastroenterology
Volume
17
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. This is the author’s accepted manuscript made available under a CC-BY licence in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy)
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Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2025-07-10