FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I get recognition for my unit as a training centre?
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I am a qualified consultant – what do I need to do to maintain my endoscopy competence?
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Revalidation
How can I find out my JAG registration number?
This can be found in the “training units” section of the website which lists all the current registered endoscopy units.
Who needs to enrol with the JAG?
Only those practitioners not already enrolled with the SAC in general surgery or gastroenterology i.e nurses and other health professionals, general practitioners and radiologists.
Can I be officially certified as competent?
If your training is approved you will receive a certificate of competency in the relevant modality.
Do I need to switch to the new portfolio if I have already begun using the old logbook?
No, but it is recommended. If you do use the logbook you will still need to submit a Declaration of Competence signed by your Training Supervisor and adhere to the Quality criteria.
Are there any proposals for an exam for Upper and Lower GI endoscopy and what is the latest information with regards to colorectal screening centres being set up?
There are advanced proposals for accreditation for trainees for Upper GI which are available on the website.
What is the approximate number of JAG accredited and non-accredited endoscopy units in the United Kingdom?
There are 208 units.
Is there any specific guidance on the size and frequency of training lists and in particular the number of training lists that should be available in the unit per week and the minimum/maximum size of training lists?
The actual number of training lists will depend on the number of trainees in each hospital. The list should be 60% of a service list i.e 4 colons, 8 OGDs maximum.
At what point can I start to practice indepentently?
When undertaking a training list you should be assisted with a consultant in the room with you. Independent practice may take place once a trainee has been formally assessed as competent to perform the specified procedure. Formal assessment in the form of DOPs assessment of two cases observed by 2 independent trainers (not your own supervisor) at the same time. A minimum score of 3 for all areas must be achieved to be deemed competent. Trainees must ensure they have adequate on-site supervision at all times for procedures where they have not yet gained a certificate of competence, as defined in the curriculum.
Is there a DOPS form for deep enteroscopy?
The therapeutic endoscopy form is generic to all therapeutic procedures and to enteroscopy.
Is it compulsory for Trainers to have attended a Training the Trainers Endoscopy course?
It is not compulsory for all trainers to have attended a Training the Trainers course although this is encouraged by JAG. However, the GRS Training Domain (Level C) requires a minimum of 50% of trainers in the endoscopy unit to have attended or signed up to attend a TTT course as a requirement for JAG accreditation.
I have achieved the criteria for full accreditation in Diagnostic Upper GI. Do I need to apply for provisional accreditation first or can I go straight to full accreditation and whose signatures are required on the accreditation forms?
It is fine to go for full accreditation as long as you submit an enrolment form which can be downloaded from the "Forms" section of the website. I recommend that you check the Upper GI criteria before submitting your evidence which can be found in the "Training and Accreditation" section. Four summative DOPS forms are required in total which should be signed by two Assessors for two cases in addition to a Declaration signed by both Assessors. You should also submit quality audit criteria on completion rates and sedation together with a "Declaration of Competence" signed by your current Training Supervisor which forms part of the Portfolio of Training document and can be downloaded from the JAG website.
What quality audit data is required?
We are looking for evidence of success rates, sedation doses for patients under 70 and patients over 70, modality specific data such as retroflexion in stomach and polyp detection rate and details of any complications or perforations. Please can you provide this data as statistical information in a table format.
If I go on maternity leave for part of the year, in my instance for two months, are the number of procedures pro rata to the time spent working - the guidelines for Upper GI state that 100 procedures should be undertaken in the twelve months following provisional accreditation in order to be fully accredited?
Yes but we are flexible about that number although quality audit data must meet the minimum requirements.
Two months ago I started training in EUS. However, it is not clear from the JAG webiste how accreditation for EUS occurs?
JAG is not currently accrediting either individuals or units in EUS but there is a working party looking at this at present. As soon as further details are available they will be published on the website.
When deciding how many points a procedure is worth for example Upper GI = 1 point, Colonoscopy = 2 points, is this related to the average time the procedure is supposed to take and if so roughly how many minutes does a point equate to?
A point is 15 minutes. 1 gastro/flexsig = 1 point, a colonoscopy/Upper GI therapy = 2 points and an ERCP = 3 points.
I have not attended a Basic Endoscopy course but am practicing endoscopy independently and would like to sign up for an advanced course. Will this count in lieu of the Basic course for accreditation?
Colonoscopy and the Therapeutic courses are mandatory. The Basic Foundation course for a senior trainee is probably superfluous and an advanced course can be taken in lieu but ultimately the Basic courses should be attended by all trainees and evidence of attendance should be submitted for accreditation of training.
How long does the accreditation process take once evidence has been submitted?
The accreditation process usually takes around four weeks and trainees are informed when their training has been accredited.
Please can you provide a definition for a major complication?
A major complication constitutes the following:
- Death
- A perforation
- Significant bleeding requiring > 2 unit transfusion
- Post procedure hospital stay of > 24 hours related to procedure or admission to hospital following discharge from the endoscopy unit.
How do I go about booking an endoscopy course?
Courses can now be booked online via the JETS website www.jets.nhs.uk. You can select by locality or type of course. The website will allow you to see the number of places on the course remaining. Once you have booked online the course organiser will then contact you to advise further details.