The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, was conducted by Sameer D. Saini, MD, MS, and colleagues from the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and Michigan Medicine. Key Points: Findings: Conclusion:
Author: Abhay Panchal
The article from Medscape, titled “1 in 10 Stool-Based CRC Tests Can’t Be Processed,” discusses a significant issue with fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) used for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Approximately 10% of these tests, conducted by a safety-net health system, were found to contain unsatisfactory samples that couldn’t be processed. The study, led by Rasmi Nair, MBBS, PhD, from UT Southwestern Medical Center, highlights the need for better follow-up systems for unsatisfactory FIT results. Key findings and concerns include: The article also notes that FIT is a recommended option for annual CRC screening for adults aged 45-75 years by the…
Intriguing trends showed up in this year’s Medscape’s compensation report — an improvement in gender-based pay disparity among doctors in primary care; a growing disillusionment with Medicare payments, as more physicians decline to take new patients on Medicare; and a general increase in physician pay. More than 10,000 physicians in over 29 specialties told us how much they earn, how hard they work, and how they feel about their income.
In 2023, several gastroenterology companies expanded their footprint through acquisitions, partnerships, and office relocations. Here are 12 notable companies that have grown this year: Austin Gastroenterology (Texas): Opened a clinic and endoscopy center in Leander, Texas in January. Borland Groover (Jacksonville, Fla.): Broke ground on a new endoscopy center and ASC in St. Johns County, Fla., and plans to build another endoscopy center in Jacksonville, Fla. Gastroenterology Associates of North Mississippi (Oxford): Expanded its services to Batesville, Miss.-based Panola Medical Center in December. Gastro Health (Miami): Acquired Olympia, Wash.-based Gastroenterology Associates and Davenport, Fla.-based Gastroenterology Consultants of Polk County. Partnered…
In episode 26 of the “Gut Talk” podcast, hosted by Sameer K. Berry, MD, Megan Riehl, PsyD, discusses the development of Gastrointestinal (GI) Psychology. Riehl, a GI psychologist with expertise in psycho-gastroenterology, is the clinical director of the GI behavioral health program at the University of Michigan. She has a full-time clinical practice, leads GI behavioral health trainings, and provides peer consultation. Key topics covered in the podcast include: Riehl’s Career Influences: Riehl shares insights into her early influences and how her family system and mentors guided her towards a career in psychology, particularly in the field of GI psychology.…
These stories cover a range of topics from advancements in therapies and vaccines to the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Here are the key highlights: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Obesity Management: The SELECT results with semaglutide showed cardiovascular benefits in people with overweight and obesity, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of these conditions. This development is expected to change the coverage and accessibility of these agents for weight management. Therapy Breakthroughs for Geographic Atrophy: 2023 is seen as a foundational year for the effective management of geographic atrophy, with the FDA approval of two therapies that can…
Dr. Eric Topol’s TED talk on the future of medicine with AI to improve accuracy of diagnosis, the professional lives of clinicians, and the patient-doctor relationship. AI could propel the biggest transformation in the history of medicine, says physician-scientist Eric Topol. He explains how sophisticated AI models can interpret medical images as well or better than human experts can — and, beyond that, even pick up things that human eyes can’t see. Learn all the ways AI is poised to make a difference for both patients and doctors.
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released a new Clinical Practice Guideline that emphasizes the important role of fecal and blood biomarkers in managing Crohn’s disease. This guideline offers the most specific evidence-based recommendations to date for the use of fecal calprotectin (FCP) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in assessing disease activity. Key points from the guideline include: Role of Biomarkers: The guideline affirms that the use of biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care and monitoring is no longer experimental but should be an integral part. Biomarkers provide significant benefits over relying solely on symptoms for assessing a patient’s…
A study published in JAMA Surgery has found that laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) offers similar short-term outcomes compared to open surgery for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The study, conducted by Min Wang, MD, and colleagues from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, was an investigator-initiated, multicenter, parallel-group, open-label study involving 200 patients with PDAC. Key findings of the study include: Operative Times and Blood Loss: Patients undergoing LPD experienced longer median operative times (330 minutes) compared to those undergoing open pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) (297 minutes). However, LPD patients had less blood loss (median 145 mL) than those in the open…
Allied Digestive Health (ADH), a leading gastroenterology organization, has partnered with Suki, a provider of voice artificial intelligence-powered healthcare solutions, to become a Center of Excellence in gastroenterology. This partnership marks a significant step in integrating AI technology into the field of gastroenterology to improve patient care and provider experience. ADH, known for its tech-forward approach, has been investing in AI solutions to automate coding processes and identify potential subjects for research studies. The organization also focuses on enhancing the digital patient experience, including online appointment scheduling and billing. With Suki’s AI clinical assistant, ADH providers will have access to…