how to find enough ERCPs

[Gastrapathy]

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So, like many GI fellows, I'm faced with insufficient numbers of ERCPs. My fellowship couldn't care less where I spend up to half of the F3 year. Other fellowships aren't giving these procedures away and, for a variety of reasons, a fourth year is a bad option for me. Clearly, it will be easier to get a job if I'm ERCP-trained and I enjoy them and would like this to be part of my practice. Since we actually have some staff around...thoughts?

 

[june015b]

How many do you need? Is there an official number?

 

[gida]

More and more common problem. I myself am not ercp trained, however I joined a group that is willing to teach me...we do over 250 per year as a group (5 guys)....I've already put in stents and pulled out stones with one of my partners just watching and telling me what to do. Otherwise, I'm not sure what else you could do...I agree a 4th year of fellowship is a joke! Just more slave labor.

 

[Gastrapathy]

thanks, its nice to know thats an option.

 

[gastrodoc]

How badly do you want to do ERCP?
You need about 200 to be reasonable for stones and stents.
After you get good, you need to make a comittment to keep doing a fair number, probably about 100 a year, to stay good.

The guys at your next duty station will have a vested interest in you being good at them so they don't have to be available while you're on call.
Think about getting the VA to send their interventional cases to you as well.
Moonlighting is always an option, although you probably don't want to pick up that kind of liability with patients you don't have a history with.

 

[Dulcebabee]

I am not a doc or even a student doc. However, my fiance is a GI doc who is ERCP trained. If I'm not mistaken, I think he may have become certified via a couple of conferences?? I could be wrong and if I am, I will write back and correct myself. I will say that having this skill definitely makes him more marketable. He is also trained in reading pill cams, which I do know occurred via a conference.

Good luck!