Gastrointestinal endoscopy services--a review of the 70s with predictions for the 80s.

Information obtained from 3 questionnaires circulated to British gastrointestinal endoscopists has been used to trace the development of endoscopy services during the 1970s. Oesophagogastro-duodenoscopy became available in most hospitals; colonoscopy services were slower to develop and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography was performed in under 50% of hospitals. Various therapeutic techniques followed the diagnostic procedures and by the end of the decade constituted one of the major areas of growth. The impact of gastrointestinal endoscopy on other disciplines, diagnostic radiology, surgery, pathology and general practice is reviewed. Organizational aspects of endoscopy services with emphasis on staff, premises, instrumentation and finance are discussed. Analysis of the trends during the 70s has allowed some predictions of the likely developments in the 1980s.