Views of supervisors of colonoscopy training on quality issues for the national bowel cancer screening program in Australia

To describe the views of supervisors of colonoscopy training in regard to colonoscopy training capacity and quality in Australia. Anonymous postal surveys from March to May 2007 were posted to 127 colonoscopy training supervisors (30.2% estimated response rate). The surveys queried colonoscopy training capacity and quality, supervisors' views and opinions on innovative approaches to colonoscopy training, number of colonoscopies and time required by trainees to gain competence in colonoscopy. Approximately 50% of trainers agreed and 27% disagreed that current numbers of training places were adequate to maintain a skilled colonoscopy workforce in preparation for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP). A collaborative approach with the private sector was seen as beneficial by 65%. Non-gastroenterologists (non-GEs) were more likely than gastroenterologists (GEs) to be of the opinion that simulators are beneficial for colonoscopy training (chi(2)-test = 5.55, P = 0.026). The majority of trainers did not support training either nurses (73%) or general practitioners (GPs) in colonoscopy (71%). Approximately 60% of trainers considered that the current requirements for recognition of training in colonoscopy could be insufficient for trainees to gain competence and 80% of those indicated that >= 200 colonoscopies were needed. Colonoscopy training in Australia has traditionally followed the apprenticeship model. Projected increases in demand for colonoscopy with the introduction of the NBCSP may require additional training places and new and innovative approaches to training in order to ensure the provision of high-quality colonoscopy services under the NBCSP.