Prediction of Diminutive/Small Polyp Histology: Didactic vs. Computer-based Training

Plain-language summary

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers and the best method of diagnosing it is through endoscopic examination of the bowel (colonoscopy). Pre-cursors of bowel cancer are called polyps which can be detected and removed at the time of the colonoscopy. This reduces the chance of developing bowel cancer. There are different types of polyp ranging from completely harmless to those that may develop into cancer over time. Advances in technology mean more polyps are being detected and it is possible to predict the type of polyp. Therefore there is a new strategy in endoscopy whereby when a small polyp is detected, a prediction of polyp type is made, the polyp removed and then discarded rather than sending to the laboratory, thereby reducing costs to health services. In the hands of experts, accuracies in predicting polyp type is similar to when the polyp is removed and sent to the lab for analysis. Whilst experts can do this, non-experts cannot reach these standards and there is a need for effective training. The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of two training methods: Didactic face-to-face training and computer-based self-learning on the ability of trainees at predicting polyp type.

Who can participate

What they're measuring

Trial details