Training in pediatric neurogastroenterology and motility across Europe: a survey of the ESPGHAN National Societies Network 2016-2019

Abstract

Background Pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders present significant challenges for diagnosis and management, emphasizing the need for appropriate training in Pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility (PNGM). The aim of this survey, part of a comprehensive survey on training in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, was to evaluate training related to PNGM across European training centers. Method Standardized questionnaires were collected from training centers through the National Societies Network of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), from June 2016 to December 2019. Results In total, 100 training centers from 19 countries participated in the survey. Dedicated PNGM clinics were available in 22 centers; pH-monitoring in 60; pH/impedance in 66; standard manometry in 37; and high-resolution manometry in 33. If all motility studies were performed partially or fully by the trainees, the median (range) annual numbers/per trainee were as follows: pH-monitoring 30 (1-500); pH/impedance 17 (1-131); standard manometries 10 (1-150); and high-resolution manometries 8 (1-75). The motility assessment was performed by pediatric gastroenterologists (43 centers); adult gastroenterologists (10 centers); pediatric surgeons (5 centers); and both pediatric gastroenterologists and pediatric surgeons (9 centers). Annual numbers ≤10 for pH-monitoring, pH/impedance, standard manometries and high-resolution manometries were reported by 7 (12%), 15 (23%), 11 (30%) and 14 (42%) centers, respectively. Conclusions Significant differences exist in PNGM-related infrastructure, staff and procedural volumes at training centers across Europe. ESPGHAN and the National Societies should take initiatives to ensure the acquisition of competence in PNGM-related knowledge and skills, and develop strategies for assessment and accreditation. An infographic is available for this article at: https://www.annalsgastro.gr/files/journals/1/earlyview/2022/Infographic-AG6486.pdf

Association of training standards in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition in European training centers with formal national recognition of the subspecialty: a survey of the ESPGHAN National Societies Network 2016-2019

“…We approached 188 training centers, of which 100 provided an informative response [ 8 ]; 55 responses came from 12 countries where PGHN is formally recognized as a subspecialty (Group 1: Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Israel, Germany, Lithuania, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom), and 45 responses from 7 countries where it is not (Group 2: Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, The Netherlands, Spain). In The Netherlands the subspecialty is not formally recognized by the State, although a Committee on Subspecialist training has been established within the Dutch Pediatric Society that certifies competence of trainees in PGHN at the end of their fellowship.…”

“…Standardized questionnaires [ 8 ] collecting data on infrastructure, staff, patient and procedural volumes, as well as organization of training in PGHN, were created by AP, AB and CRC on behalf of the ESPGHAN National Societies Network and were sent to the presidents or representatives of ESPGHAN National Societies, who were asked to forward these to the heads of PGHN training centers in their countries and collect the responses. In countries where no representative of the National Society participated in the survey, volunteers (AG for Italy and RF for Switzerland) were asked to distribute and collect the questionnaires, or (Portugal) data were obtained by the study coordinator directly contacting training centers.…”

Pediatric endoscopy training across Europe: a survey of the ESPGHAN National Societies Network 2016–2019

“…One hundred PGHN training centers from 17 European countries, Turkey and Israel participated in our survey. The list of centers participating in this survey has been published previously 14 : 30 training centers were capital based and 70 were based in other cities .…”

“…Questions related to the endoscopy training, the availability of specialists performing GI endoscopies, endoscopy nurses and pediatric anesthetists at the training centers, annual numbers of outpatients and of upper, lower, therapeutic and capsule endoscopies and numbers of trainees in post were included in the standardized questionnaires prepared by the members (AP, AB and CRC) of the Executive Committee of the ESPGHAN National Societies Group 2015–2017 which have been published previously 14 . The questionnaire was assessed by the participants of the 2016 National Societies Group meeting held during the ESPGHAN 49th Annual meeting (Athens, Greece) for feasibility, readability, consistency of style and formatting, and clarity of language used, and sent to the presidents/representatives of the ESPGHAN National Societies network who distributed it to the heads of PGHN training centers in their countries and collected the responses.…”