Any practitioner who is to undertake gastrointestinal endoscopy should receive formal training in the principles and practice of safe endoscopy. In the best interests of patients, training should only be provided to those who are going to have a regular sessional commitment to endoscopy in their permanent posts.

Training in endoscopy should only take place in units that have been approved by the JAG. Endoscopy training should be provided as part of a multi-disciplinary gastroenterology service with co operation between physicians, surgeons, nurses, radiologists and pathologists. Endoscopy units should hold regular multi-disciplinary, endoscopy user group meetings in which trainees should participate. General practitioners, nurses and other non-medical endoscopists who undertake training in gastrointestinal endoscopy must do so in units approved by the JAG and must register with the JAG.

Training should consist of protected, personalised, in-service teaching, and attendance at JAG Certified courses. The requirements for competence in each endoscopic modality may be revised from time to time.Trained practitioners in gastrointestinal endoscopy are expected to maintain their knowledge and skills through a commitment to continuing medical education and professional development in endoscopy.

Training should include formal instruction in:

• The indications and contraindications for each type of endoscopic procedure
• Obtaining informed consent
• The technique of conscious sedation, and the avoidance and management of sedation-related complications
• The skills of endoscopy
• The causes, prevention, recognition and management of endoscopy-related complications
• Communicating endoscopic findings and their implications to patients, relatives and carers
• Communicating bad news, including complications of endoscopy
• Providing a high standard of written reports and communications with other professionals

All forms of therapeutic endoscopy should be taught only after adequate skills for diagnostic procedures have been acquired. Procedures should be carried out only under supervision until competence is achieved, and has been formally assessed as such by the JAG process.

Trainees should have wider knowledge of issues related to endoscopy, including current surveillance protocols for gastrointestinal diseases, the implications of findings at endoscopy, the range of treatment options and have access to such information.