Introduction The Directly Observed Polypectomy Skills (DOPyS) is a validated tool used to assess polypectomy skills in the UK.¹ The overall competency for polypectomy is graded on a scale of 1 to 4 and is used to certify trainees for level 1 polypectomy (size < 1 cm) and level 2 polypectomy (size 0–2 cm). Trainees are certified as competent if they achieve grades 3 or 4 for more than 90% in their last 4 consecutive DOPyS and a caecal intubation rate (CIR) >90% over last 3 months. The aim of the study was to investigate the progress of competency in polypectomy for endoscopy

Methods Retrospective data from the e-portfolio from Jan 2009 to Sept 2015 was extracted using pre-determined criteria. 749 DOPyS data from 61 trainees was analysed. 42 trainees had achieved provisional (level 1 polypectomy) certification and 19 trainees in the same cohort subsequently achieved full (level 2 polypectomy) certification. Data collected included time (in days) & number of lower GI procedures to the start of first recorded polypectomy assessment (1 st DOPyS), time in days needed to achieve level 1 & level 2 competency from 1st DOPyS & from the first recorded lower GI procedure, caecal intubation rate (CIR) at time of 1st DOPyS & at last recorded DOPyS before certification.

Conclusion

• Trainees in the UK start formative assessment for polypectomy after > 130 lower GI procedures & CIR of >70%

• Median time for trainees to achieve level 1 & level 2 competencies from 1st DOPyS is < 2 years

• Median time for trainees to achieve level 1 competency from first recorded lower GI procedure is > 3 years

• Time to progress to level 2 competency from level 1 competency is > 200 days & may correspond to the rarity of polyps > 1cm in training cases

• Polypectomy competency in this cohort of UK trainees is achieved after reaching an overall CIR >85%

• Further studies are needed to analyse the learning curve of polypectomy & to implement changes to improve efficiency of training

Reference 1 Gupta S, Bassett P, Man R, Suzuki N, Vance ME, Thomas-Gibson S. Validation of anovel method for assessing competency in polypectomy. Gastrointest Endosc 2012;75(3):568–575.e1.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared