Proto Inc.’s Epic hologram technology is being used for remote cancer consultations, enabling life-size, interactive projections of specialists for patients in rural areas. This innovative approach offers a more natural communication experience, allowing cancer patients at West Cancer Center’s clinic in Paris, Tennessee, to consult with specialists virtually. The technology has gained traction in various fields, including education and entertainment, and holds promise for expanding healthcare access in underserved areas while ensuring secure, private communications through SOC Type 2 security certifications.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Dr. Prateek Sharma highlights the importance of high-quality bowel preparation for effective colonoscopy, the growing use of cold snare polypectomy (with recurrence risks), and advancements in AI for risk stratification of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Studies show that fair bowel prep leads to a lower adenoma detection rate and higher risk of post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC). While cold snare EMR is safer, it has a high polyp recurrence rate. AI models for GI bleeding risk surpass current scoring systems, identifying more low-risk patients for discharge.
Newsweek, in collaboration with Statista, has released its rankings of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals for 2025 across 12 medical fields, including gastroenterology. The list is based on recommendations from medical professionals, accreditation data, and patient-reported outcomes. It highlights top hospitals globally, such as the Mayo Clinic and Charité, representing countries like the U.S., Germany, Australia, Brazil, and Japan. This ranking aims to help patients choose specialized care beyond their primary physician.
Melissa Adams, a nurse practitioner, felt overworked and undervalued, leading her to quietly quit—performing only the required duties without extra effort. This disengagement, termed “quiet quitting,” is prevalent in healthcare, where 57% of frontline staff report burnout. Causes include unrealistic expectations, lack of respect, poor communication, and dissatisfaction with pay. Addressing these issues through open dialogue, fostering a collaborative atmosphere, and respecting healthcare providers’ roles are essential for preventing disengagement and ensuring better patient care.
Illustration by Maria Corte | The Commonwealth Fund
A study by Avalere, commissioned by the American Independent Medical Practice Association, revealed that Medicare expenditures for patients in private equity-affiliated physician practices were 9.8% lower in 2022 compared to hospital-affiliated practices. Private equity-backed practices also showed 13.5% fewer inpatient days and 7.9% fewer emergency department visits. The report indicates that private equity involvement in healthcare can reduce costs and improve care efficiency compared to hospital and corporate affiliations, highlighting potential policy implications for supporting such models.
Cylinder’s app-based digestive health management platform was found to significantly reduce gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and improve health outcomes across diverse racial and socioeconomic groups, as reported in a study published in BMJ Open Gastroenterology. Key findings include 85% of users experiencing symptom improvement and 83% feeling better control over their health. The platform, which offers personalized care, addresses disparities in GI healthcare, particularly for underserved populations, and enhances overall well-being and workplace productivity.
Smart drug delivery technologies for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) focus on site-specific therapeutic delivery, enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects. Recent advancements, including ingestible smart capsules, offer precise targeting within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Despite previous commercialization challenges, progress in technology, miniaturization, and component design has reignited interest. Smart capsules, equipped with drug reservoirs, sensors, and localization mechanisms, promise improved treatment for IBD by accurately releasing drugs at disease sites, overcoming limitations of traditional drug delivery methods.
In the podcast episode of Small Talk Big Topics, Drs. Laurel Fisher and Asma Khapra discuss the evolving role of women in gastroenterology. Both share their career journeys and emphasize the importance of networking, self-care, and reducing burnout. They highlight the growing representation of women in GI leadership and the support provided by workshops and organizations like AGA. While progress has been made, they stress the need for further efforts to increase female participation and leadership in the field.
The rapid adoption of GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes and weight loss has raised concerns in the endoscopy suite due to potential risks like delayed gastric emptying and aspiration during procedures requiring sedation. Anesthesiologists have called for holding GLP-1s a week prior to elective procedures, causing tensions with gastroenterologists who argue the evidence is insufficient. Both sides agree more research is needed to guide best practices, and new guidelines are being developed to address these concerns while minimizing unnecessary cancellations.