Introduction In March 2011 JAG launched e-certification allowing trainees to apply for JAG certification through their JETS e-portfolio. Prior to this, trainees were required to submit paper portfolios for application of JAG certification. We report results of a quality assurance survey, which all trainees applying through the JETS e-portfolio were invited to complete.

Methods All trainees applying through the JETS e-portfolio were invited to complete an online survey, created to assess trainee experience of e-certification. Trainees were asked if they strongly agreed (SA), agreed (A), were neutral (N), disagreed (D) or strongly disagreed (SD) with statements describing their experience of the process.

Results A total of 109 applications for JAG certification have been made through the JETS e-portfolio since its launch. Some trainees have submitted more than one application for certification in different endoscopic modalities. A total of 33 trainees (30% of applications) completed the survey, 7 (21%) of which had previously applied for JAG certification by the paper or hybrid (paper and e-portfolio) methods. When questioned about the general process 69.2% agreed and 23.1% strongly agreed that it was better that the previous JAG certification process it replaced. The majority felt that the process was quicker (SA=42.9%, A=42.9%) and less time consuming (SA=28.6%, A=57.1%). Opinion was divided on cost; 48.5% agreed that the cost was reasonable and 15.2% were neutral but 30.3% disagreed and 6.1% strongly disagreed. The majority felt that a breakdown of costs would be helpful (SA=18.2%, A=51.5%, N=21.2%, D=9.1%). Trainees agreed that the process tested endoscopic competence across all the modalities: gastroscopy (SA=37.9%, A=62.1%), flexible sigmoidoscopy (SA=60%, A=40%) and colonoscopy (SA=44.4%, A=55.6%). There was agreement that the summative assessments were straightforward to submit (SA=48.4%, A=51.6%) and intuitive (SA=32.3%, A=58.1%, N=9.7%). Similarly trainees felt that the process of submitting the application by the JETS e-portfolio was straightforward (SA=42.4%, A=54.5%, N=3%), quick (SA=39.4%, A=54.5%, N=3%, D=3%) and that they were kept informed of their application progress (SA=45.5%, A=45.5%, N=9.1%).

Conclusion This survey of trainee experience with the JETS e-portfolio application for JAG certification shows that trainees prefer the process compared to the old paper system. It is quicker and trainees agreed the process tested endoscopy competence in gastroscopy, colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy. The opinion of trainees regarding the cost of the process was spit and trainees would find a breakdown of the cost helpful. The findings of this survey show that the new e-portfolio certification functions well and meets the needs of trainees.

Competing interests None declared.