The American College of Gastroenterology has been a long-time supporter of the World Gastronterology Organisation’s international workshop, Train the Trainers, and each year sponsors the participation of two ACG member attendees and two ACG members who serve as faculty alongside other international experts at this four-day, intensive, hands-on, highly interactive and participatory workshop. Topics include teaching procedural skills, interpersonal skills and team working, credentialing, critical appraisal of papers, trial design, presentations and evidenced-based medicine.
Amy Oxentenko, MD, FACG, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, was one of four ACG-sponsored members who attended WGO TTT 2015 in Taipei, Taiwan in April. Dr. Oxentenko, who served as faculty, was joined by Laura Raffals, MD (participant), Eamonn Quigley, MD, FACG (faculty) and Vivek Kaul, MD, FACG (participant).
She shares some highlights of her experience, along with some photos, below.
1. Key Take-Aways:
Having attended the WGO TTT three times now (Porto, Portugal [attendee]; Cape Town, South Africa [faculty]; Taipei, Taiwan [faculty]), I can say that each experience has been unique in its own way. As an attendee, I was able to learn some basic principles of education that I felt I should have learned long ago. The course not only teaches core principles, but allows you to practice those skills throughout the course itself, which really allows you to master the concepts quickly. As a faculty member for the last two TTTs, it has been such a pleasure to see the learning that is taking place and how individuals from all over the world can come together to learn in such a unified way.
2. Advice for colleagues considering WGO TTT 2016:
The WGO TTT is a wonderful opportunity for educators who are looking to add a unique experience compared to any other faculty development course they have ever attended. Many of the principles of the course are straightforward and fundamental for anyone with a role as an educator, but these core principles are often overlooked in other sessions I have ever attended. In addition to the rich curricular elements, it is amazing to experience it with others from around the world, in order to compare and contrast how things are done elsewhere, which allows you to bring an even more diverse set of skills back to your own institution. The camaraderie is also amazing, and you will make lifelong friends from around the globe.
3. Impact on my role as a GI educator:
It has already changed the way I do things, immensely. It has changed the way I deliver a presentation, critique the literature, give my trainees feedback, and conduct all teaching activities. I can never go back to some of the old ways I was doing things! Even as a faculty member, I feel I learn so much each time from all of the participants!
Interested in World Gastroenterology Organisation’s Train-the-Trainers Workshop Antalya, Turkey 2016?
Apply Now!
If you are an educator in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy or GI surgery, submit your CV today for a chance to participate in the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) Train-the-Trainers (TTT) Workshop taking place in Antalya, Turkey April 4–7, 2016. Applicants must be fluent in English. The ACG will nominate two members to participate in the TTT Turkey program.
TTT unites faculty and participants from across the globe in an intensive and interactive workshop, with numerous hands-on sessions and ample discussion time.
If you are interested in applying, send your CV to Maria Susano at the ACG office at msusano@gi.org.
The application deadline is July 31, 2015.