Is it feasible for surgical trainees to acquire JAG endoscopy accreditation by CCT? National online survey of UK trainees
Ahmad, Adil N Zaman, Shafquat Ayeni, Adewale Ishaq, Sauid Waterland, Peter Kumar, Prajeesh Mills, Sarah Akingboye, Akinfemi
Ahmad, Adil N
Zaman, Shafquat
Ayeni, Adewale
Ishaq, Sauid
Waterland, Peter
Kumar, Prajeesh
Mills, Sarah
Akingboye, Akinfemi
Affiliation
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust; The Dudley Group NHS Fournation Trust
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Publication date
2026-01-03
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Higher surgical trainees often struggle to attain endoscopy competencies. We aimed to obtain a national picture of higher surgical trainees' endoscopy experience, highlight barriers to training, and explore potential solutions.
METHODS: A 40-point electronic questionnaire was designed and disseminated to higher surgical trainees across the UK. Anonymous responses were collected and recorded from 26/10/2020 to 11/06/2021.
RESULTS: A total of 139 higher surgical trainees from 16 out of the 19 regional UK deaneries responded. 75.9% (82/108) had some endoscopy training, and 19.4% (21/108) had no endoscopic training. 27.8% (30/108) had performed over 200 procedures. 77.8% (105/135) were not made aware of endoscopy training requirements by their Training Programme Directors (TPDs). 59.6% (65/109) had no named endoscopy supervisor. Only 49.1% (53/108) felt supported by their endoscopy trainers. Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy (JAG) certification was infrequent, and the highest levels, 14.4% (15/104), were achieved in oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD). Only 55.8% (24/43) of JAG-certified trainees felt competent in that procedure. 50.0% (7/14) of ST8 (final year trainee) respondents were not JAG certified in any procedure. 90.6% (96/106) faced challenges in gaining endoscopy training. The most common obstacles were the COVID-19 pandemic 87.9% (94/107), on-call commitments 80.2% (85/106), lack of allocated endoscopy sessions 80.2% (85/106), insufficient endoscopy training lists 76.4% (81/106), and competition with non-surgical trainees 64.2% (68/106).
CONCLUSIONS: Our survey provides detailed evidence of the challenges faced by surgical trainees in gaining endoscopy training. Suggested solutions include allocated endoscopy trainers, dedicated endoscopy-only training blocks, and early guidance about endoscopy training and certification.
Citation
Ahmad AN, Zaman S, Ayeni A, Ishaq S, Waterland P, Kumar P, Mills S, Akingboye A. Is it feasible for surgical trainees to acquire JAG endoscopy accreditation by CCT? National online survey of UK trainees. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2026 Jan 3;41(1):13. doi: 10.1007/s00384-025-05058-7
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Article