Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) has emerged as one of the most important advancements in GI over the last 10 years. For established endoscopists, there have been no pathways to developing skills in this complex technique, until now. The ASGE EMR STAR Certificate Program prepares endoscopists to overcome challenges, gain confidence and demonstrate their “readiness” to perform EMR to medical colleagues.

The ASGE STAR Certificate Program is designed to provide standardized, evidence based education, training and assessment in specific endoscopy skills. This program targets practicing physicians who seek to improve their endoscopy practice and skills.  Participants will be expected to complete all components of the curriculum in sequence.  At the conclusion of the program, participants will receive a transcript of the activities they have completed and their performance on the cognitive and skills assessment components of the program. Participants who pass the assessment components will receive a certificate of completion. Results of all assessments (online and live) as well as credits earned will be tracked through this online system. Please refer to this site for the status of your progress, credits awarded and transcript for the program.

The enrollment criteria described below is intended to give potential participants an idea of the basic skill levels expected of program participants, and the skills that are needed to successfully perform lower EMR. Enrollees should have:

• A minimum of two years in practice post-fellowship
• Performed at least 500 colonoscopies independently, and currently performing colonoscopy as part of daily practice
• Proficiency in basic polypectomy, hemostasis, and injection techniques

After attending this program, participants of this program should be able to:

• Describe the morphology of colonic polyps and assess their endoscopic appearance for resectability
• Appropriately select and demonstrate the use of various snares, cautery and injection/lifting technique in the endoscopic mucosal resection of "large, complex or high-risk" colonic polyps (e.g., >20 mm, difficult location, with depression or significant nodulartity).
• Demonstrate the use of appropriate accessories for both polyp retrieval and management of complications
• Select appropriate surveillance intervals based on current guidelines

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for the colon is defined as the use of various snares, cautery and injection/lifting technique in the resection of large, complex or high risk colonic polyps.

Prior to the skills-training component, enrollees will be required to complete several online components in sequence:
• Baseline assessment. The Baseline Assessment is used to measure your baseline knowledge in this topic area. Taking this assessment should take you no longer than 30 minutes to complete.
• Pre-work. After completing the baseline assessment, pre-work in the form of literature, videos from ASGE's Endoscopic Learning Library (ELL), and guidelines are made available for your review.
• Interval assessment. You will then re-take the baseline assessment following the online instructional components. It's important that you take the time to complete all the pre-course content before coming to Downers Grove for the Live Course.

Then you will attend the Live course and on Day 2 have the opportunity to demonstrate your Lower EMR skills in a 1 on 1 Skills Assessment with the Course Faculty.

• After the Live course, you will then return to this online system to take a final Cognitive assessment. After passing this exam (80%), will earn CME credit. Passing both the Cognitive Assessment and the 1 on 1 Skills Assessment qualifies Physician attendees for MOC credit. 

Windows Requirements: Operating system: Windows 7+
Browser: Internet Explorer 8+, Firefox 10+, Google Chrome 10+
Internet connection: DSL, cable modem, or other high-speed connection
Flash: Adobe® Flash® Player 12+

Macintosh Requirements:
Operating system: Mac OS X 10.6.8+
Browser: Mozilla Firefox 10+, Safari 5+, Google Chrome 10+
Internet connection: DSL, cable modem, or other high-speed connection
Flash: Adobe® Flash® Player 12+

For questions related to content or CME credits, please email education@asge.org or contact ASGE between the hours of 8:30am and 5pm Central Time at 1-866-353-ASGE (2743).