Introduction

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is an advanced procedure requiring a formal and specific training. Currently position papers by American and European societies for endoscopy (ASGE and ESGE) have been published on required training modalities, but data on the adoption of such standards lack.

Aims & Methods

The aims of this study are to describe the current state of training in EUS around the world, investigate educational lacks and clarify expectations of trainees for their training period. A survey was administered to Next-Generation EUS Pre-Course 2023 participants, all EUS trainees<40 years of age. This comprehended 66 questions evaluating 5 topics: trainees demographic data and basic competences, training centers characteristics, training modalities adopted, activities after the end of training period, trainees expectations and opinions. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

114 EUS trainees replied from 5 continents (mostly from Europe); 59.9% males, 89.5% gastroenterologists (10.5% surgeons or internists). All trainees satisfied the basic requirements for endoscopic and ultrasonographic skills. 29.5% of trainees were trained in centers with EUS volumes<10/week. In the majority of cases training was performed adopting mostly or only linear probes (67.9%), 79.5% of training were in centers were same-session EUS-ERCP could be performed and 67.3% of trainees believed that the same person should be trained in both procedures. In contrast to books, videos or conferences, phantom models and in-vivo/ex-vivo models were very rarely used during training, and also considered not very useful as learning opportunities. 61.1% of trainees aimed to achieve during training a complete autonomy in diagnostic EUS+FNA/FNB for all stations,plus at least an initial approach to therapeutic EUS. Most trainees affirmed that during training they expected more hands-on, therapeutic-EUS, FNA/FNB teaching on ultrasound machine and more focus on contrast/elastography skills.

Conclusion

EUS training around the world is variable and does not always respond to basic ASGE/ESGE suggestions. A higher volume of hands-on procedures with FNA/FNB should be guaranteed during training.It should be discussed whether a basic training period in EUS should include also an initial approach in therapeutic EUS, as expected by trainees.