Minireviews
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Endosc. Aug 16, 2025; 17(8): 107458
Published online Aug 16, 2025. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v17.i8.107458
Endoscopic ultrasound training: Current state, challenges, and the path to proficiency
Hanane Delsa, Wafaa Khannoussi, Elsayed Ghoneem, Hussein Hassan Okasha
Hanane Delsa, Wafaa Khannoussi, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca 82403, Casablanca-Settat, Morocco
Hanane Delsa, Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Biotechnology and Health, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Casablanca 82403, Casablanca-Settat, Morocco
Elsayed Ghoneem, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35511, Egypt
Elsayed Ghoneem, Department of Gastroenterology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam 32222, Saudi Arabia
Hussein Hassan Okasha, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kasr Al-Aini School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
Author contributions: Okasha HH and Delsa H contributed to drafting the manuscript and critically reviewing its academic content; Delsa H, Khannoussi W, and Ghoneem E contributed to writing the manuscript and creating the tables and figures.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hanane Delsa, MD, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, Avenue Mohamed Taieb Naciri, Casablanca 82403, Casablanca-Settat, Morocco. dr.delsa.hanane@gmail.com
Received: March 26, 2025
Revised: April 23, 2025
Accepted: June 17, 2025
Published online: August 16, 2025
Processing time: 142 Days and 4 Hours
Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an indispensable tool for the diagnosis and management of various diseases, particularly biliopancreatic disorders, as it provides detailed visualization of the gastrointestinal tract and surrounding structures. As the demand for diagnostic and interventional EUS procedures increases, ensuring high-quality training for endoscopists is essential to improve patient outcomes. This mini-review provides an overview of the current state of EUS training and emphasizes the importance of a structured approach that integrates theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. We discuss different training methods, focusing on the main courses available worldwide, and highlight their advantages and limitations. In addition, we examine the challenges of training for diagnostic and interventional EUS, such as limited access to training centers and the need for personalized feedback. Overall, improving EUS training programs is essential to enhance physician skills and ensure this advanced technique is used safely and efficiently in clinical practice.

Keywords: Endoscopic ultrasound; Training; Model; Hands-on; Diploma; Certificate

Core Tip: This article discusses various endoscopic ultrasound training methods, focusing on the main courses available worldwide and highlighting their advantages and limitations. This mini-review provides an overview of the current state of endoscopic ultrasound training and emphasizes the importance of a structured approach that integrates both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.