The OMGE Recommendations for Education and Training in Gastroenterology, adapted to the Major Areas of the World Results of a Workshop held at the World Congresses of Gastroenterology, 25 August 1990, in Sydney, Australia

The OMGE Education Committee recommended as follows: 1) A speciality in gastroenterology (medical, surgical, and paediatric) should be organized in acknowledged hospitals in all countries of the world. 2) The education and training should be performed in accordance with minimum recommended standards in institutions with satisfactory equipment and competent supervisors. 3) The responsibility for the quality of education and training should rest with the heads of the institutions and the health authorities. 4) The time needed to obtain a license should be 3 years, of which 1 year might be optional for special purposes. 5) The candidates should at the time of obtaining the license in gastroenterology also have a speciality in internal medicine in accordance with recommendations. 6) During the time of education and training the candidates should have responsibility for patients, the diagnosis of their diseases, and treatments. They should have practiced the typical gastroenterologic laboratory tests, including endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic methods adapted to local needs. 7) The trainee should document participation in theoretic education programs in accordance with the local needs and panorama of diseases, the details of which are given in the report. 8) The programs for education and training should include basic knowledge and practice of ethics and research in the training institutions and in theoretical courses, symposia, and so forth. 9) The qualifications of the trainee to obtain a license should be tested in accordance with guidelines agreed on by the health authorities. An examination was recommended by most of the participants in the workshop. 10) A postspecialization continued education and training program should be adapted to the local needs and guaranteed at regular intervals. 11) The role of OMGE should be to give guidelines for the education and training programs in cooperation with the national associations. The Education Committee should particularly help underdeveloped countries with educational problems and needs, the performance of which depends on economic possibilities. In cooperation with the national associations OMGE should organize workshops and symposia and provide facilities for improving educational systems and programs.