HBO Max’s hit series The Pitt, set in a fictional Pittsburgh emergency department, is earning praise not just for its Emmy nominations—but for its realism. Filmed partly at Allegheny General Hospital, the show consulted real physicians and nurses to authentically portray the pressures and pace of urban emergency medicine. Healthcare leaders say the series accurately captures the chaos, compassion, and systemic strain faced daily by clinicians. As one doctor noted, The Pitt offers a rare, unfiltered view of a healthcare system on the brink.
Author: Abhay Panchal
The newly signed U.S. budget law grants physicians a temporary Medicare pay bump for 2026—but at a steep cost: a historic $1 trillion cut to Medicaid over the next decade that could leave nearly 12 million Americans without coverage. With new federal loan caps and the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, aspiring doctors may face greater financial barriers, while current providers—especially in primary care, pediatrics, and emergency medicine—brace for increased uncompensated care. Although direct primary care sees a win through expanded HSA eligibility, the overall outlook for access, equity, and practice sustainability remains deeply concerning.
CMS has released its proposed 2026 Medicare physician payment rule, and for GI, it’s a mixed bag. While the conversion factor is set to increase and telehealth flexibilities like direct supervision will continue, the proposal also introduces an “efficiency adjustment” that cuts work and practice expense RVUs for GI procedures—potentially lowering reimbursements for hospital- and ASC-based services. GI societies including AGA, ACG, and ASGE are reviewing the details and will release a full analysis soon.
A new study in The Lancet suggests that a simple capsule-sponge test could safely replace endoscopy for low-risk patients with Barrett’s esophagus—potentially cutting the need for invasive surveillance by half. By identifying cellular biomarkers through a non-endoscopic swab of the esophagus, researchers stratified patients into risk tiers with high accuracy. With a 97.8% negative predictive value in low-risk individuals and up to 85% cancer detection in ultra–high-risk cases, this test may dramatically reduce unnecessary procedures while focusing endoscopy resources where they matter most.
As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms gastroenterology, one voice remains largely missing: the patient’s. Despite tens of thousands of AI studies in healthcare, fewer than 1% include patient perspectives. This article argues it’s time to shift from building AI tools around patients to building them with patients—by addressing their concerns, values, and expectations. Without trust and transparency, even the smartest algorithms risk rejection. Can GI truly integrate AI without first earning patient buy-in?
The National Cancer Institute has enrolled the first patient in its Vanguard Study to evaluate Guardant Health’s Shield™ multi-cancer detection (MCD) blood test, which can screen for multiple cancers—including colorectal, lung, breast, prostate, pancreatic, liver, ovarian, gastric, esophageal, and bladder cancers—from a single blood draw. With plans to enroll up to 24,000 participants over four years, the study aims to assess the feasibility and impact of using MCD tests in large-scale cancer screening trials. Shield has already received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, positioning it as a potential game-changer for early detection in average-risk individuals.
Gastroenterologists, like many specialists, faced financial headwinds in 2024, as paychecks were squeezed by shrinking payer reimbursements and broader market uncertainty. According to Medscape’s latest report, average physician pay rose by less than 3%, reflecting waning employer motivation to increase salaries post-pandemic. Industry experts point to hospital financial struggles, regulatory unpredictability, and the fading momentum of COVID-era compensation gains as key contributors. With a new administration underway and future policy impacts unclear, it’s a moment for GI physicians to tread carefully and plan strategically.
With early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) projected to become the leading cause of cancer death among those aged 20–49 by 2030, physicians must raise CRC on their diagnostic radar—especially for symptomatic younger patients. Experts like Dr. Cassandra Fritz and Dr. Neil Parikh urge earlier risk stratification using family history, AI-driven models, and underused tools like stool-based testing. They emphasize the importance of lifestyle education, patient awareness, and system-level change to shift from late detection to proactive prevention. “If we control that, we can change the trajectory,” says Parikh.
Newswise — The July issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology features a new ACG Clinical Guideline on Preventive Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, with updates to recommended vaccine schedules and health screenings for this patient group. The issue also includes reviews and articles on eosinophilic esophagitis, cirrhosis, augmented reality in endoscopy, GLP-1 RAs and colonoscopy bowel prep, exposure to air pollutants, and more. Access to any articles from this issue, or past issues, is available upon request. The College is also able to connect members of the press with study authors or outside experts who can comment on the…
In today’s high-demand, low-bandwidth environment, many GI practices feel stuck—facing staffing shortages, operational bloat, and misalignment between physicians and administrators. In his recent MedCity News article, Dr. Russ Arjal argues that sustainable growth for GI groups won’t come from doing more, but from evolving differently. From dyad leadership models to tech-enabled efficiency and data-driven decision-making, Arjal lays out a blueprint for breaking through the growth ceiling without sacrificing care quality or control. Is your GI practice positioned to evolve—or at risk of being disrupted?