230 - Improving Trainee Educational Experience in Pediatric Endoscopy: Establishment of a Pediatric Endoscopy Boot Camp

Poster Number: 230
Publication Number: 230.332

Amanda R. Gomez, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Amit S. Grover, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Alan Leichtner, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Michael A. Manfredi, Boston Children`s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States

Background: Endoscopic training is a core component of pediatric gastroenterology fellowship (PGF) training. Incoming fellows have minimal exposure to endoscopy prior to fellowship, however, are expected to quickly accrue the skills and knowledge required to perform successful endoscopy. Studies have demonstrated benefit of intensive procedurally based boot camps prior to starting fellowship in other subspecialty fields.

Objective: To develop and determine the feasibility of a pediatric endoscopy boot camp incorporating didactic and simulation-based activities to serve as an introduction to endoscopy at the beginning of the first year of PGF. We hypothesized that the boot camp would be feasible and would also lead to increased confidence and knowledge as well as accelerate self-efficacy in endoscopy.

Design/Methods: First-year fellows participated in a 3-day course including didactics and hands-on simulation activities. Boot camp took place in July 2021 preceding the first week of clinical service. Fellows rotated through a series of stations performing endoscopy using ex-vivo pig stomach and colon models. Stations were based on case vignettes with fellows paired one-on-one with endoscopy attendings and near-peer coaches. Pre- and post-boot camp assessments in confidence and knowledge as well as qualitative surveys were performed. Statistical analyses included two-tailed t-tests.

Results: Boot camp was attended by 5 first-year fellows. Participants reported significantly increased confidence on a 5-point Likert scale across procedural domains after boot camp compared to before (Figure 1). Average knowledge scores were also significantly increased (55% pre-boot camp versus 75% post-boot camp, p = 0.05). Procedural numbers in the first 4-months of fellowship were higher among fellows who participated in boot camp compared to the 2 years prior (Table 1). Near-peer and attending coaches perceived that first-year fellows were more prepared to start performing endoscopy at the end of bootcamp in comparison to prior years. Near-peer and attending coaches reported added value of the opportunity to practice advanced skills rarely used in live endoscopy themselves and to practice teaching.Conclusion(s): A procedurally based boot camp introducing endoscopy to incoming pediatric gastroenterology fellows is feasible. Endoscopy boot camp significantly increased confidence and knowledge as well as self-efficacy prior to starting endoscopy clinical duties. The boot camp provides additional advantages of near-peer and faculty learning as well as teaching skill development. The long-term effects of boot camp continue to be studied.
Amanda Gomez CV 10_21.pdf
Table 1: Average number of EGDs and colonoscopies by clinical fellow class in the first 4-months of fellowship