Lauren Feld, MD, assistant professor at UMass Chan Medical School, advocates for systematic, equitable parental leave policies in gastroenterology to alleviate gender disparities. Despite past surveys showing only 35% of training programs offering parental leave for all genders, Feld continues to push for structural changes to support both men and women. Her efforts, recognized by the 2024 Scrubs & Heels Break the Glass Ceiling Award, emphasize the importance of standardized family-friendly policies to foster a more inclusive, equitable work environment for all gastroenterologists.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Johnson & Johnson announced FDA approval of TREMFYA® (guselkumab) for treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. TREMFYA® is the first fully-human monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-23 and binds to CD64, showing significant improvements in UC symptoms and endoscopic healing. The approval is based on data from the QUASAR Phase 2b/3 study, which highlighted the drug’s efficacy in patients unresponsive to other treatments.
This virtual presentation discussed the increasing costs of gastrointestinal care and showcase Cleveland Clinic’s innovative strategy, including a partnership with Ayble, a new digital health provider.
Gastrointestinal Specialists of Troy, Michigan, has partnered with Oshi Health to enhance access to multidisciplinary care for patients with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. This collaboration aims to offer patients virtual access to comprehensive care teams, including dietitians, health coaches, and therapists, to manage conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The initiative focuses on improving care coordination and patient outcomes.
In this episode of the Innovation series, Dr. Parikh interviews Asaf Kraus, CEO and founder of Dieta Health. Dieta’s core application is to use artificial intelligence to monitor a patient’s bowel movements and improve digestive health.
A study at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center demonstrated that using an AI-based patient navigator called MyEleanor significantly improved colonoscopy completion rates among underserved communities. By re-engaging patients who previously missed appointments, the tool nearly doubled the completion rate from 10% to 19%. MyEleanor helped address common barriers like transportation and cost, while also freeing up time for human navigators. The program shows promise in reducing disparities in colorectal cancer screening and may extend to other cancer screenings in the future.
The battle against colorectal cancer (CRC) is evolving, and a new blood-based test using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) brings hope. But how well does it really perform compared to the gold-standard colonoscopy? While the test shows promise in detecting late-stage cancers, its struggle to identify early-stage tumors raises critical questions. With the stakes so high in catching CRC early, could this new test revolutionize screening, or is it just another tool in the arsenal?
Will Generative AI replace doctors? That’s the burning question explored in this thought-provoking piece. While AI can now pass medical exams and perform specific tasks with incredible accuracy, there’s more to the story. Dive into the complexities of AI’s limitations, like its inability to build human connections, handle unpredictable medical situations, and make nuanced ethical decisions. Yet, there’s a twist—AI could become an essential tool for doctors who are ready to embrace it. But how will this shift change the future of medicine?
Choosing the right qualified retirement plan (QRP) is crucial for physicians, with options like defined contribution and defined benefit plans. These plans offer tax-deductible contributions, tax-deferred growth, and asset protection, but come with drawbacks such as contribution limits, mandatory employee inclusion, and management liability. Physicians must balance the benefits of tax savings and retirement security with the administrative and regulatory challenges of QRPs. Understanding the pros and cons helps tailor retirement planning to individual needs and financial goals.
On September 1, UnitedHealthcare announced a list of gastroenterology procedures that will be eligible for its new physician gold-card program, launching on October 1. This program is designed to streamline the prior authorization process for qualifying providers, allowing them to bypass it for certain procedure codes. It aims to reduce administrative burden and expedite patient care by enabling quicker access to necessary treatments. Here are the gastroenterology procedures, and their codes, that will be eligible for the new program:74261: CT colonography DX image post process without contrast74262: CT colonography DX image post process with contrast…