Who Should Do It?

Abstract

Background: One common investigative tool for the gastrointestinal tract diseases is endoscopy, and gastroenterologists provide this service. However, in recent years some internists provide this service, which hasraised concerns in gastroenterologist society.Purpose: To assess the viewpoints of Iranian physicians on whether internist can do endoscopic procedures Methods: The study performed in Tehran and Isfahan with a convenience sampling of practitioners whoparticipated in CME courses. The sample consisted of different groups of general practitioners, internists, internal medicine residents and gastroenterologists. A self-administered questionnaire with Likert type answers was used to determine the attitudes of the practitioners toward this item.Results: For elective diagnostic endoscopy the median of what expressed by internists and residents was complete agreement (+2) whereas for gastroenterologists it was agreement (1) and for gastroenterology fellowships, it was disagreement(-1); the difference was significant (p