A report from the American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) Workforce of the Future Task Force identifies three interconnected challenges facing gastroenterology: uneven geographic distribution of specialists, limited anesthesia support, and gaps in the recruitment, training, and retention of advanced practice providers (APPs).
The report emphasizes that the GI workforce challenge is not simply a shortage of physicians, but a maldistribution of specialists. Many urban areas have adequate coverage, while rural communities remain underserved. Proposed solutions include hub-and-spoke care models connecting local teams with academic centers, expanded telehealth access, loan repayment programs, and legislation supporting training and retention in underserved areas.
Anesthesia availability is another constraint. Growing demand for propofol-level sedation, combined with shortages of anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists, could limit endoscopy capacity. The report calls for strengthening gastroenterologists’ training in conscious sedation and exploring expanded sedation training for endoscopy care teams.