To evaluate the gastrointestinal endoscopy training program, a survey of the 33 former chief residents, who finished our program in 1981-1986, was conducted. All 33 graduates responded; 22 graduates are general surgeons, 11 completed or are completing training in a surgical specialty. Eighteen of the 22 general surgeons routinely perform endoscopy in their practice. Graduates in cities with a population greater than 250,000 are as likely to perform endoscopy as the surgeons who live in smaller communities. Ninety one per cent consider endoscopy training to have been an important part of their surgical training. Based on this assessment, endoscopy training is an important part of a general-surgery residency.