Gastroenterology/hepatology societies release report evaluating fellowship training curriculum

Recommendations made that will lead to even better patient care

Bethesda, MD (Nov. 2, 2009) – Due to the increasing complexities of treating digestive diseases, allowing gastroenterological (GI) trainee physicians the opportunity to develop enhanced abilities and experiences in specific disease areas or procedures will be a great benefit to patients, according to a "Report of the Multisociety Task Force on GI Training." Additionally, GI training programs need to measure the achievements of trainees based on specific defined competencies rather than the duration of training alone.

"The treatment of patients with digestive diseases is becoming increasingly complex," said Lawrence S. Friedman, MD, chair of the task force. "The four major GI and hepatology societies are taking the initiative to ensure the current medical school curriculum best meets the needs of gastroenterological/hepatologic trainees. There are a number of trainees who want to pursue specialized areas of practice – such as transplant hepatology, advanced therapeutic endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal oncology – therefore, we need to consider ways the curriculum can better suit the needs of gastroenterology/hepatology fellows and their patients."

The task force, which was comprised of representatives from the four major gastroenterology and hepatology societies —the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) —was convened to evaluate the current GI training model and to make recommendations on how it may be changed to better accommodate trainees' interests in GI and hepatology. The report is being published in the November issues of Hepatology, the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology and GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

The task force made a number of recommendations regarding the future of gastroenterology training:

1. Retain pairing of GI/hepatology training. The training and certification of hepatology and GI should not be separate since many hepatologists are required to manage digestive problems for their patients. Additionally, the task force recommends that the term "gastroenterology and hepatology" (gastroenterology/hepatology) be used when referring to the broad specialty of GI.