The Introductory Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Workshop has been designed for Gastroenterology Trainees embarking on a career requiring the regular use of GI endoscopic skills.  It is also suitable for GSET and SET 4-5 Trainees in General Surgery.

The major emphasis of the workshop will be on gaining practical experience. The workshop will focus on the basic techniques necessary to safely carry out a gastroscopy and colonoscopy, and will provide frequent opportunities for supervised practise of these skills on endoscopy simulators.

Participants will use animal (porcine) tissue* models and synthetic models.

Please note:

Eligible WA based Trainees will receive a 50% subsidy of the workshop fee due to generous support from Cancer Network Western Australia.

This workshop is not recommended for SET/GSET Trainees Levels 1-3.  Junior Trainees in General Surgery are recommended to CTEC's General Surgery Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Workshop on 23 October 2026.

Workshop Content

Practical Stations include:

• Endoscope handling and troubleshooting of common equipment problems
• Basic methods in gastroscope insertion and examination of the upper GI tract
• Basic methods in colonoscope intubation and examination of the lower GI tract
• Difficult foreign body retrieval: intubation, manipulation
• Safe use of diathermy and argon plasma coagulation
• Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tube insertion
• Haemostasis exercises: sclerotherapy, dilatation and variceal banding
• Recognition of upper and lower GI common pathology
• Polypectomy using endoscopic snares

Endoscopic techniques to treat the following conditions will be demonstrated:

• GI bleeding (injection, diathermy and clipping)
• Oesophageal strictures (endoscopic balloon dilatation)
• Mucosal polyps (polypectomy with snaring)

Post Workshop Practise

To achieve the appropriate level of competence in these techniques, the Introductory Workshop must be followed by a period of supervised clinical practise (in accordance with the recommendations of the Conjoint Committee for the Recognition of Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy).

Workshop Inclusions

• Porcine tissue* and computerised simulation models
• Didactic Sessions
• All meals and refreshments
• Limited to 9 places to maximise practical learning time

Please note:

The use of porcine tissue models is not compulsory