BetaEntity Annotation Prototype
← Back to institutions

Annotated abstract

FP44 An immersive training programme for endoscopic management of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a UK pilot study

gutjnl · 2026-06-23 · canonical JSON source

6 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

Document resource

Introduction Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) remains a common emergency with significant mortality, making effective endoscopic haemostasis a core competency for gastroenterologists. Despite this, no structured training programme for AUGIB endoscopic management exists in the UK, and trainee exposure remains highly variable. National trainee surveys consistently report inadequate experience in AUGIB management, largely reflecting the limitations imposed by other clinical commitments including general medical on calls. Immersive training blocks in diagnostic endoscopy have shown to accelerate skill acquisition and improve trainee confidence. Building on this model, we piloted an immersive AUGIB endoscopy training programme for senior gastroenterology trainees at a UK tertiary centre.Methods We conducted a single-centre pilot involving two gastroenterology trainees who were JAG-accredited in diagnostic OGD. A protected three-week immersive block was created, allowing trainees at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals to attend daily acute inpatient endoscopy lists and shadow the on-call consultant. This block was mapped around individual trainee’s rotas in-between on-call commitments to minimise disruption to service provision. Outcomes included comparison of the number of therapeutic OGDs performed in the six months preceding the intervention with those undertaken during the immersive block. Trainee confidence in managing AUGIB, was assessed pre- and post-intervention using 10-point Likert-scale questionnaires.Results In the six months prior to the immersive training block, the trainees performed 5 and 7 therapeutic OGDs, respectively. Baseline confidence in achieving endoscopic haemostasis using specific therapeutic modalities was low (mean Likert scores 2.7 and 2.5/10), as was confidence in managing specific AUGIB pathologies (3.3 and 3.0/10). During the three-week immersive block, trainees performed 32 and 45 OGDs, with therapeutic interventions undertaken in 7 and 18 procedures, respectively, delivering a total of 12 and 21 haemostatic therapies. Post-intervention, confidence in haemostatic techniques increased to 5.0 and 3.7/10, and confidence in pathology-specific management increased to 5.1 and 3.1/10.Qualitative feedback was uniformly positive, with trainees reporting improved confidence in endoscopic technique, clinical decision-making and risk stratification.Conclusion This pilot demonstrates the feasibility and educational benefit of an immersive training model for AUGIB, delivered with minimal disruption to service provision. The intervention substantially increased exposure to therapeutic endoscopy and was associated with improved confidence in managing AUGIB. Following this pilot, four additional trainees have been scheduled to undertake the programme, with ongoing refinement to further optimise training delivery.