Ethical implications relating to Live Endoscopy Demonstrations

Live demonstrations are traditional and popular methods of teaching practical digestive endoscopy. They enable the attendees to observe and interact with experts who are making decisions without hindsight in the same manner as in normal endoscopic practice. Unexpected findings and practical difficulties encountered are addressed and overcome emphasizing the importance of keeping calm and adopting a methodical approach when under pressure. Never-the-less criticisms have been expressed that patients may be disadvantaged by agreeing to examination by a visiting specialist perhaps using unfamiliar equipment and in circumstances where the normal clinical lines of responsibility may be impaired. The endoscopic community therefore has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure that each patient’s welfare is protected.

The World Organization of Digestive Endoscopy (OMED) is strongly in favour of teaching by live demonstration but believes that the safety and dignity of the patient is paramount. For this reason we have reviewed, condensed and updated the ethical advice that was published by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2003. We set out here an ethical standard for the performance of live demonstrations that was approved by the OMED Centers of Excellence and the OMED Governing Council in November 2009.