In a wide-ranging interview, Prof. Alexander Hann of the University Hospital Würzburg shared that while AI has improved adenoma detection rates in colonoscopies, the expected real-world impact—like reduced mortality—remains statistically insignificant. Despite over 40 randomized trials, the evidence has not led to widespread guideline endorsement. Concerns around over-reliance on AI, false positives, and “de-skilling” persist. Hann stresses that for AI to truly transform GI care, interdisciplinary research, robust multi-center datasets, and better endpoints are key.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Despite ranking as the fifth highest-paid specialty, many gastroenterologists report some of the lowest job satisfaction in medicine. According to a new report by Marit Health, stagnant wages—when adjusted for inflation—combined with CMS cuts and private equity consolidation are eroding compensation and autonomy in the field.
The upcoming IPOs of Hinge Health and Omada Health are more than capital events—they may mark a turning point for HealthTech M&A. According to Nelson Advisors, these high-profile debuts are poised to reset investor sentiment, validate virtual care models, and push up acquisition multiples for digital health companies. If the market rewards these IPOs, expect a ripple effect: rising benchmarks, faster deal activity, and renewed urgency among buyers who don’t want to miss the next breakout.
Obesity is rising in IBD populations, and GLP-1 receptor agonists may offer more than just weight control. In a series of new abstracts presented at Digestive Disease Week 2025, researchers from Mount Sinai explored GLP-1 use in IBD patients—and the results are promising. The medications were found to be safe, effective for weight loss, and even associated with improved disease remission, including in cases of perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease.
Oath Surgical has emerged from stealth with a bold promise: to rebuild surgical care from the ground up. Backed by Oxford Science Enterprises and others, the startup launched OathOS—the first full-stack operating system that integrates AI software with its own surgeon-led, digitally powered surgical centers. With real-time data, automated recovery workflows, and performance-based payor alignment, Oath is redefining value-based outpatient care—not just improving the old model, but replacing it entirely.
SpotitEarly, a biotech startup from Israel, just launched in the U.S. with a bold idea—and $20.3 million in funding. Its approach? A home breath test analyzed by trained dogs and AI to detect early-stage cancers. Backed by published studies and a 94% accuracy rate, the test targets breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers. With U.S. screening rates still alarmingly low, SpotitEarly believes it’s not just disrupting diagnostics—it’s rewriting the rules of early detection.
As demand surges for virtual GI care, Oshi Health—America’s first nationwide virtual gastroenterology center of excellence—has named Brittany Flanagan as its first Chief People Officer. Formerly with Amazon Pharmacy and PillPack, Flanagan brings deep expertise in scaling mission-driven healthcare organizations and will lead efforts to expand Oshi’s workforce while preserving its award-winning culture.
Just as law enforcement has its “Blue Wall,” medicine harbors its own—what Dr. Sachin Jain calls the “White Wall of Silence.” In this powerful Forbes commentary, he argues that unchecked loyalty among physicians too often shields bad actors, enabling incompetence, overuse, and even harm to persist in silence.
Retail giants like Amazon, Walgreens, and Best Buy stormed into healthcare with bold promises—only to find the system far more complex than expected. As reported by Modern Healthcare and analyzed by Advisory Board, efforts to scale clinical care have hit hard walls: rising costs, reimbursement hurdles, and the unforgiving pace of quarterly earnings. Some, like Walmart, have already bowed out. Others remain, but the question is no longer if they can disrupt healthcare—it’s whether they can do it patiently and profitably, over years, not quarters.
As newer noninvasive screening tools flood the market, the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) continues to hold its ground—quietly, effectively, and with patient-friendly convenience. In this Medscape commentary, Dr. Kenny Lin revisits the data behind FIT, including results from a major European trial showing no significant difference in colorectal cancer deaths between FIT and colonoscopy over a 10-year span. But FIT’s continued relevance depends on one critical factor: patient follow-through. Can small changes—like using liquid vials, tweaking instructions, or adding a deadline—make a big difference in adherence? Evidence says yes.