In his insightful article, Spencer Dorn, MD, explores how nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs) are reshaping American healthcare amid a persistent physician shortage. While training differences remain stark, research shows that NPs and PAs often provide comparable care in structured clinical scenarios. Dorn argues it’s time to move beyond the “who’s better” debate and focus instead on how to best deploy all clinicians to meet rising care demands. With AI on the horizon and a sicker, aging population, the future of medicine will require teamwork, adaptability, and a rethinking of roles across the board.
Author: Abhay Panchal
The article discusses the growing movement to deprescribe GLP-1 therapy for obesity due to cost concerns — but warns this is a shortsighted approach. Backed by robust clinical evidence, it argues that obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition and that discontinuing GLP-1s often leads to weight regain and worsened health outcomes. The real question, it concludes, isn’t whether we can afford to continue treatment — it’s whether we can afford not to.
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) issued no formal recommendation on the use of AI-assisted colonoscopy (CADe) in adults, citing very low certainty of evidence regarding critical long-term outcomes such as colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence, mortality, and post-colonoscopy CRC. The guideline highlights the need for future research in diverse populations and settings, particularly regarding detection of clinically significant polyps, cost-effectiveness, patient preferences, and real-world outcomes, with plans to update the recommendation as evidence evolves.
ClostraBio, a biotech startup originating from the University of Chicago, has secured nearly $4 million in new financing. This investment aims to advance the company’s novel probiotic designed to restore compromised intestinal function.Founded in 2016, ClostraBio has now raised over $10 million in total funding. The company’s research focuses on developing therapies to alleviate the effects of food allergies and conditions like ulcerative colitis
In this segment of the RX Review, Drs. Brian Jacobson and Joseph Anderson highlight real-world barriers to implementing the updated USMSTF bowel prep guidance. While the recommendations are more patient-centered, challenges persist — such as early morning procedures requiring inconvenient wake times for split-dose prep and inconsistent reporting of prep quality by providers.
Virtual digestive health provider Cylinder has acquired Dieta Health, an AI-powered stool imaging company, to enhance personalized digestive care and clinical outcomes. Dieta’s mobile app, validated in studies from Cedars-Sinai and Mayo Clinic, analyzes stool images with greater precision than traditional self-reported methods. This integration will expand AI-driven diagnostics, improve early disease detection, and optimize treatment decisions.
Anesthesia plays a crucial role in the efficiency and success of ASCs, particularly in gastroenterology procedures.Five GI leaders recently joined Becker’s to discuss growing challenges and what they believe needs to change to ensure ASCs can continue providing high-quality care.
The AGA Future Leaders Program has selected 16 early-career gastroenterologists and hepatologists for its 2025-2026 cohort, aimed at developing leadership skills within AGA and the field of digestive diseases. The program kicks off on March 14-15 at AGA headquarters, where participants will engage with renowned mentors, explore AGA operations, and attend a keynote by GI Futurist Praveen Suthrum on exponential change in gastroenterology. Over 18 months, they will collaborate on career-focused projects shaping the future of the field.
As the Gut Doctor podcast continues to raise awareness for colorectal cancer, Dr. Parikh interviews Dr. Paul Limburg, MD, who is a gastroenterologist and chief medical officer for Exact Sciences. They discuss colon cancer prevalence, barriers to CRC screening, and the role of stool based testing such as Cologuard.
The 2025 AGA Tech Summit’s Shark Tank Pitch Competition highlights five cutting-edge startups revolutionizing patient care, diagnostics, and treatment in gastroenterology. These finalists, chosen from a highly competitive pool, will present game-changing innovations aimed at tackling critical healthcare challenges.