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Despite a growing body of evidence, there are limited data regarding the impact of hands-on training on patient safety, with most studies of trainee performance reporting adverse events (AEs) as either a secondary outcome [8][9] or not at all [10][11]. Study groups As there is significant variation in training programs and credentialing across European centers, trainees were defined as endoscopists who had performed fewer than 200 ERCP procedures independently and were working under the direct supervision of an experienced endoscopist (> 1000 ERCP procedures). Graph Introduction Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remains one of the most challenging endoscopic procedures to master, as it is both technically demanding and incurs significant risk [1]. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Training in advanced endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be driven by key performance measures and standardized competence assessment in order to provide safe and high-quality interventions. We aimed to determine whether the involvement of trainees influences the outcome of the procedure and the incidence of ERCP-related adverse events.Methods: This was an international, multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted at six high- and low-volume centers across Europe between October 2016 and October 2018, and included independent operators and their trainees. Standard report forms documenting indication, trainee involvement, technical outcome, and complications over a 30-day follow-up of consecutive ERCP procedures were included in the analysis. Technical success of the procedure and procedure-related adverse events were compared between procedures in the trainee group and the control group using bivariable and multivariable analysis.Results: 21 trainees and 16 control endoscopists performed 1843 ERCPs during the study period. Trainee involvement in ERCP procedures did not decrease technical success (92.4 % vs. 93.7 %; P = 0.30) or increase the risk of adverse events (14.7 % vs. 14.6 %; P > 0.99). Conversely, there were significantly more moderate or severe adverse events in the control group compared with the trainee group (6.2 % vs. 3.4 %, P = 0.01). On multivariable analysis, only increased bilirubin levels, time to cannulation, and procedure difficulty level increased the risk of any procedure-related adverse event.Conclusion: Trainee involvement in ERCP interventions within a proper teaching setting is safe and does not compromise the success of the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep biliary cannulation, the cornerstone of ERCP, presents mentors with a conundrum: trainees require a longer time on the papilla to acquire cannulation skills [1], but prolonged cannulation attempts can compromise the procedure and increase the risk for the patient [2], even when experts eventually take over. Trainees were allowed more time, even in failed attempts, as their training progressed, which could reflect mentors trusting their trainees with more responsibilities as they advance in their training. One solution could be a two-tier training system, with novices focusing on acquiring the basic cannulation skills and more advanced training (grade 2 and 3 procedures) being reserved for endoscopists who are already deemed competent in basic cannulation. [Extracted from the article]