As independent medical practices disappear, some physicians are turning to private equity as an unexpected path to autonomy. Doctors interviewed by Healthcare Brew argue that PE-backed management services organizations can provide capital, staffing, and administrative support while leaving clinical decisions in physicians’ hands — a contrast to hospital employment, which many say restricts schedules, referrals, and care delivery. Critics warn, however, that PE consolidation still drives higher prices and long-term instability, raising the question of whether this autonomy is durable or simply a different version of corporate control.
Author: Abhay Panchal
A new study suggests that ChatGPT can produce medical responses that appear empathetic — but still fall short of the emotional depth and situational awareness shown by physicians. Researchers compared AI-generated replies with doctors’ responses on an online medical forum and found that while ChatGPT often used supportive language and appropriate tone, it struggled with subtle emotional cues such as distress, anger, or uncertainty. The authors caution that AI may help handle routine patient questions and reduce clinician workload, but it cannot replace the trust, judgment, and relational nuance that underpin effective doctor–patient care — raising important ethical questions as…
Tiny Health, the microbiome testing company best known for its infant gut health platform, says it has surpassed 100,000 tests and is now pushing aggressively into the longevity market. Backed by a randomized controlled trial in infants showing an 83% reduction in eczema risk, the company is extending its science to adults with new microbiome-based markers tied to metabolic health, GLP-1 production, inflammation, and aging resilience. Alongside the milestone, Tiny Health launched a new Microbiome Age study for adults over 60 and expanded partnerships with longevity clinics and preventive health programs, positioning the gut microbiome as a core signal for…
AI in GI endoscopy has moved from “cool demos” to clinically tested tools, with the strongest evidence in colonoscopy. Across multiple randomized trials and meta-analyses, computer-aided detection (CADe) consistently boosts polyp/adenoma detection (about a ~20% lift on average), while newer systems are reducing the false-alert problem that can drive “alert fatigue.” Computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) is improving real-time polyp characterization, but still needs stronger prospective data before “resect-and-discard” becomes routine. Beyond detection, quality-control AI (cecal intubation confirmation, bowel prep scoring, withdrawal optimization) is emerging as the next leap—shifting toward full “AI-guided endoscopy platforms.” Upper GI, EUS/ERCP, capsule, and IBD surveillance applications…
The FDA has taken a landmark step in drug development by qualifying its first artificial intelligence tool, AIM-MASH AI Assist, to help score liver biopsies in metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) clinical trials. Developed by PathAI, the system uses machine learning to standardize notoriously variable histologic assessments while keeping pathologists firmly in the loop. Experts say the move could cut noise, speed trials, and accelerate much-needed therapies for a growing global liver disease crisis—signaling how AI is beginning to reshape how new drugs reach patients.
Dr. David Lieberman’s career helped define how modern gastroenterology thinks about colorectal cancer screening, quality, and follow-up. From shaping national colonoscopy quality benchmarks and unified screening guidelines to building foundational biorepositories and databases, his work reframed screening as a system — not just a test. Now, as blood-based screening and risk-stratified approaches emerge, Lieberman’s focus has shifted to the biggest unresolved gap: ensuring patients who start screening actually complete it — because participation, not technology alone, ultimately determines whether screening saves lives.
Gastroenterology practices in the U.S. are operating under mounting pressure in 2025. According to Medscape’s Gastroenterology Practice Issues Report, GI physicians are navigating a difficult landscape marked by specialist shortages, clinician burnout, increasing administrative burden, and early—but meaningful—impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on daily practice. A nationwide shortage of gastroenterologists has made it harder for practices to fill open physician roles, while patient demand continues to rise. At the same time, administrative responsibilities have intensified, contributing to fatigue and reduced capacity. Medscape’s survey highlights that these combined factors are reshaping how GI practices function and scale.
As mailed stool-based colorectal cancer screening expands, the AGA is scrutinizing how insurers target patients, guide those with unclear risk, and ensure timely follow-up colonoscopies after positive results. The association is actively engaging payors to close gaps and is asking members to share de-identified patient instruction letters to improve program quality and continuity of care.
Natera has acquired liquid biopsy startup Foresight Diagnostics in a deal valued at up to $450 million, strengthening its push into ultra-sensitive molecular residual disease (MRD) detection, particularly in lymphoma. The all-stock transaction includes $275 million upfront and up to $175 million tied to future revenue and reimbursement milestones. The acquisition brings Foresight’s PhasED-Seq technology into Natera’s Signatera platform. Unlike conventional liquid biopsy approaches, PhasED-Seq requires detection of multiple mutations on the same DNA molecule, a design intended to sharply reduce sequencing errors and enable detection of circulating tumor DNA at extremely low levels. Foresight claims the method is up…
Penn State College of Medicine has received a $4.2 million, five-year grant from the CDC to expand colorectal cancer screening across rural and underserved communities in Pennsylvania, marking the first time the state has been awarded CDC funding specifically for colorectal cancer screening efforts. The initiative will launch PA-CARES, a statewide alliance designed to raise screening rates in 28 counties with the lowest participation, many of which are considered “screening deserts” due to barriers such as cost, transportation, limited provider access, and weak follow-up pathways. The program focuses not only on increasing screening uptake but also on system-level change, embedding…