Training in sigmoidoscopy. An assessment in three teaching hospitals.

To assess the standard of training in postgraduate sigmoidoscopy in Melbourne, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed to resident medical officers (RMOs) in three teaching hospitals. The survey showed that practical instruction in technique is inadequate, and that most individuals perform too few sigmoidoscopies to become competent at either examining or recognizing lesions. A substantial number of RMOs had never seen common and important lesions such as polyps or colorectal cancer. Most RMOs considered their training to be poor and stated that they lacked confidence in their ability to perform sigmoidoscopy. The current training programme needs detailed reassessment and improvement.