The AGA Institute releases report on the future of gastro...( The field of gastroenterology is chang...),Health

The field of gastroenterology is changing and practitioners must embrace the advances and new technology to ensure their practice evolves with the field, according to a report released by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute's Future Trends Committee. The report, "The Disappearance of Screening Colonoscopy and the Transformation of Gastroenterology Practice," was developed from a consensus conference held in April 2006 and published in the October issue of Gastroenterology.

As a leader in gastroenterology, the AGA Institute convened the consensus conference to study possible impending changes to the field and guide development of a strategy to help gastroenterologists better prepare their practices and careers for the future.

Despite the diversity of current gastroenterological practices ranging from physicians in small private practices to those in larger groups and academic medical centers all practitioners face similar challenges in the future: the forces of increasing demands for services, the pressure to limit or curtail healthcare expenditures, and technological advances. The changes may create stress for gastroenterologists; however, by preparing now for the future, the AGA Institute works to ensure that the science and practice of gastroenterology will continue to thrive and flourish.

"As in all fields of science, change is inevitable as practitioners and researchers become more knowledgeable about disease. These changes will continue to alter current practice and how gastroenterologists are trained, as well as the economics and organization of gastroenterology practices in all settings both private and academic medical centers," according to Robert S. Sandler, MD, MPH, Vice President, AGA Institute, and Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina.

Based on presentations at the conference, the Committee developed several conclusions to help guide g
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Contact: Aimee Frank
media@gastro.org
301-941-2620
American Gastroenterological Association
25-Oct-2006