Defining competencies for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric neoplasms

BackgroundCurrent methods for teaching and assessing competencies for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are highly variable, non-systematic, and are inefficient for the learner to acquire adequate skills. The present study aims to define and establish expert consensus regarding competencies required to perform ESD for gastric neoplasms.MethodsFourteen ESD experts from 12 institutions in Japan were invited to complete an online survey to rate potential items for their importance in performing ESD proficiently. By using methodology based on the Delphi principles, the results of each round were analyzed and re-sent to the experts until consensus was established. Items were included if ranked 8 out of a 10-point Likert scale, by ≥ 80% of the respondents.ResultsA list of 29 potential items was generated through a review of the literature, textbooks, and experience of the steering group members. Ten new items were added through the survey. Consensus was reached after three rounds. Response rate ranged from 93 to 100%. Thirty-four items achieved consensus as important surrogates of competency in performing ESD.ConclusionsEssential competencies for performing ESD were identified through expert consensus. These competencies can serve as the foundation for structured training and for development of objective assessment tools to evaluate trainee performance in ESD.