Training Opportunities in Veterinary Endoscopy

Veterinary endoscopy can be a great way to add value to a veterinary practice and help a lot of patients. But there is a learning curve when it comes to mastering diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy procedures.

Here are a few ways to maximize the return on investment in a new veterinary endoscopy system by promoting training for veterinarians and veterinary team members…

Invest In Training as Early as Possible

Veterinary continuing education and training have many benefits when it comes to any new piece of veterinary equipment. Training should be required for any new treatment or diagnostic equipment at the practice to ensure it’s used properly and to its full potential. 

For vets who will be using the scope, training increases confidence, efficiency, and accuracy. This means the practitioner will not only have more confidence in recommending the procedure to clients but also more confidence in the accuracy of their diagnosis.

It becomes less likely that anything will be missed due to inexperience. And vets will become faster over time, which is good for efficiency and profitability in the daily clinic schedule.

It’s probably never too early to invest in training. That way, veterinarians who will be using endoscopy will feel better prepared to start right away. Even though expertise will take time and practice, there’s a lot to be said for having a solid educational foundation in endoscopy driving, interpretation, and procedures as soon as the new scope arrives. 

Plus, being proficient at endoscope functions can also help a veterinarian better evaluate machines prior to a purchase, to make the best choice when buying a scope for the hospital.

Offer Discounted Endoscopy Studies at First

Although there are excellent training courses and resources available, hands-on practice is always required to truly master any new clinical skill. Endoscopy is no exception.

Sometimes, it’s helpful for a veterinary practice to come up with a mutually beneficial solution for themselves and their clients. This might mean offering discounted studies in the beginning. Honesty is important, so clients should understand the pros, cons, and limitations based on the vet’s current skill level. Not all clients will be interested, but it’s likely that some will jump at the opportunity to help their pet while receiving a great deal on pricing.

Many vets also practice using new equipment on their own pets, staff pets, or local shelter animals who could benefit from an endoscopy study. 

Invest in Staff Training

Training is crucial for anyone who will be involved in endoscopy at the practice, not just the veterinarian operating the endoscope.

Veterinary team members play a vital role in setting up the equipment, assisting the vet during a procedure, and maintaining and cleaning the equipment. Some staff members are also involved in discussing endoscopy with clients, conveying value when presenting price estimates, or calling tech support for the equipment when needed.

Appropriate training on how an endoscope can help patients, as well as proper use and upkeep of the equipment, has many benefits. It may help more clients say “yes” to a procedure. It can help prevent damage to the endoscope and its components and make procedures more efficient. It may even help the new endoscope last longer through proper maintenance.

Choose One New Service at a Time

Trying to learn everything at once can be challenging and inefficient since veterinary endoscopy has so many potential uses. It may be more practical for a veterinarian to pick one (or just a few) procedures to focus on at first, then add more once they feel comfortable with those.

The initial choice can be based on the type of endoscope (rigid or flexible) and its capabilities, as well as clinical interests and clinical demand. For example, a vet could start with laparoscopic procedures including surgeries and biopsies. Or, they might choose to jump right into upper GI studies, since that is a service that can benefit a lot of veterinary patients.

Resources for Veterinary Endoscopy Training

Here are a few suggestions for how and where to get started with veterinary endoscopy training…

• Speak to colleagues and specialists who are already using endoscopy. Ask for their opinions, and if possible, see if you can shadow them on a few procedures.

• Look for hands-on training at conferences, universities, and other CE providers.

• See if the vendor of the endoscope you wish to purchase offers training. This can be a nice option because it’s specific to the machine you’ll be using.

• Send out studies for consultation and interpretation with a specialist, if available. Be sure to interpret the studies yourself first, then compare it to the official report as a learning opportunity.

• Join the Veterinary Endoscopy Society (Home - Become a Member | Veterinary Endoscopy Society), which offers resources, education, and networking opportunities for veterinarians interested in endoscopy.

Budgeting for training—on top of budgeting for the equipment itself—can feel expensive or overwhelming. However, it’s truly an investment. 

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM 

Practice makes perfect, and training will help a veterinary practice offer the best patient care while also maximizing the return on investment in their new veterinary endoscopy system.