- Feasibility and Competency Outcomes of a Standardized Colonoscopy Curriculum in General Surgery Residency
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Dae Kyung Sohn, Sang-Ho Jeong, Seung Jae Roh, Sa-Hong Min, In-Seob Lee
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Received March 18, 2026 Accepted May 3, 2026 Published online May 27, 2026
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.69474/jsie.2026.00010
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 Abstract
- Background
Integrating structured colonoscopy training into general surgery residency programs remains both a logistical and educational challenge. This study evaluated the feasibility and educational outcomes of a standardized colonoscopy training curriculum for surgical residents using objective competency assessments and trainee perceptions.
Methods
A retrospective mixed-methods analysis was conducted among general surgery residents who participated in a standardized colonoscopy training program between 2022 and 2025. Faculty assessed objective procedural competency using the Direct Observation of Procedural Skills framework across three domains: basic manipulation, anatomical understanding, and insertion & advancement. Trainee perceptions regarding the training environment, procedural difficulty, and perceived educational value were evaluated using a post-training survey.
Results
Objective competency data from 369 residents were analyzed. Residents demonstrated high performance in the basic manipulation and anatomical understanding domains following completion of the training program. In contrast, scores in the insertion & advancement domain were comparatively lower, suggesting greater technical difficulty. Post-graduate year (PGY)-3 residents achieved significantly higher scores than PGY-2 residents in this domain (p=0.015), whereas performance in the other domains was comparable between the groups. Post-training survey responses indicated that most residents considered the training duration and group size appropriate, and more than 94% reported that the program would be beneficial for their future clinical practice.
Conclusions
A standardized colonoscopy training curriculum implemented during surgical residency was feasible and was associated with high levels of competency in fundamental endoscopic skills. However, insertion and advancement techniques remained more challenging for junior trainees, suggesting that additional practice opportunities targeting complex insertion skills may improve future training programs.
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