The nurse endoscopist: moving ahead with time

Abstract

The field of nursing has rapidly evolved over the last few decades. In the United Kingdom, nurse endoscopists are widely accepted and play an important role in the structure of gastroenterology services. Capsule endoscopy is a relatively new technique to image the small bowel and requires a skill set based on observation, recognition, and interpretation of significant findings from computer images. The reading of the capsule video, however, is time consuming. This article discusses the evolving role of nurses within the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy with specific reference to small bowel endoscopy. We also discuss the potential challenges of the role of the nurse endoscopist and insights into what the future may hold.