Joint Educational Partnership to Train Physicians in Use of Endoscopic Ultrasound Will Launch at Digestive Disease Week

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. and DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., May 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus Corporation of the Americas and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) will launch a joint partnership to train practicing endoscopists in the diagnostic use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) on May 19^th at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in San Diego, CA. The collaborative effort to develop this non-commercial Diagnostic EUS Training course will address a training gap for practicing endoscopists whose skills are needed in community hospitals planning to add the EUS service line.

The adoption of EUS techniques is needed increasingly due to its higher accuracy in diagnosing and staging gastrointestinal diseases of the pancreas, bile duct, liver, spleen and gallbladder. Rising rates of digestive diseases, such as Type 2 Diabetes and pancreatic cancer, are fueling demand for physicians who are trained to help patient populations in rural regions where there are fewer EUS-trained physicians.

Performing endoscopic ultrasound requires a high level of technical skill and an advanced knowledge of three-dimensional anatomy. Although the EUS expertise required to provide these types of diagnoses is widely available in academic facilities, fewer physicians in community-based settings are well trained in this procedure. Thus, the need for EUS-trained physicians in community-based settings has become urgent.

According to ASGE President Steven A. Edmundowicz, MD, FASGE, "Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) plays an important role for patient diagnosis and staging of GI and certain non-GI malignancies and diseases. Having a structured training program available through this collaboration is a great opportunity for those clinicians who are in community settings and have a need for this type of diagnostic service incorporated into their practice."   

A task force of ASGE leaders developed the new competency-based course, including Michelle A. Anderson, MD, MSc, FASGE, Subhas Banerjee, MD, FASGE, Vanessa M. Shami, MD, FASGE and Karen L. Woods, MD, FASGE.

The course is designed to train practicing endoscopists over a period of six to nine months. The program's online and hands-on curriculum covers the full spectrum of diagnostic EUS, as well as Fine-Needle Aspiration and Fine-Needle Biopsy. Designed by more than 50 established EUS medical experts in the field, the Diagnostic EUS Training course is based on ASGE guidelines for more than 200 EUS procedures.

"As we continue to make advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, we also need to create opportunities for physicians to become well versed in their applications and use," said Dr. Alex Milstein, Chief Medical Officer, Olympus America Inc. "Olympus is proud to be partnering with ASGE to provide optimal training on EUS procedures to maximize patient benefits."  

Physicians will complete the trainings in three parts. The online modules are available to be completed during a three-month period, with the first available starting October 4, 2019 and ending February 21, 2020. The hands-on course takes place over three days, December 6 – 8, 2019 at ASGE's IT&T Center in Downers Grove, IL. Upon successful completion of the online modules and hands-on course, physicians attend the on-site proctorship at a designated training site during two-week periods over four to six months. The first proctorships will run March – August, 2020.     

For more detailed information about the program, visit the ASGE Learning Center at DDW in San Diego on May 18-21. Information will also be available in Olympus Booth #1443. For more information about registering for the training program, e-mail <[email protected]>.

About Olympus Medical Systems Group

Olympus is a global technology leader, crafting innovative optical and digital solutions in medical technologies; life sciences; industrial solutions; and cameras and audio products. Throughout our 100-year history, Olympus has focused on being true to society and making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. 

Our Medical Business works with health care professionals to combine our innovative capabilities in medical technology, therapeutic intervention, and precision manufacturing with their skills to deliver diagnostic, therapeutic and minimally invasive procedures to improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for patients. For more information, visit medical.olympusamerica.com.

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 
Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence and innovation in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with more than 15,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education. For more information, visit www.asge.org.

SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas

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