Roughly half of patients with an abnormal stool-based colorectal cancer screening result never complete the follow-up colonoscopy. For years, that statistic has been framed primarily as a public health problem. Simon Mathews, MD, a gastroenterologist in rural Pennsylvania, believes it is also an operational one. He argues that too many healthcare organizations treat the follow-up colonoscopy as someone else’s responsibility. The result is a breakdown that leaves patients without potentially lifesaving care and creates avoidable inefficiencies throughout the system.
Author: Abhay Panchal
The microbiome has become one of the biggest battlegrounds in modern medicine. Its promise is enormous: earlier disease detection, personalized nutrition, prevention-first care, and a deeper understanding of human biology. Yet many gastroenterologists still face colorful microbiome reports with unclear clinical utility and few actionable answers. Guruduth Banavar, Founding CTO & Head of Discovery AI, Viome and Dr. Michael Bass, Global Medical Director, Viome, joined me and co-hosts Dr. Neil Parikh (CIO, Connecticut GI and Chair of Innovation, GI Alliance), and Matt Schwartz (Founder and CEO of Virgo).We explored why clinicians remain skeptical of microbiome testing, how metatranscriptomics differs from traditional approaches, and what happens when biology becomes measurable long before disease becomes visible.…
The federal No Surprises Act has become a flashpoint for physician groups and payers alike as the law’s independent dispute resolution process draws criticism due to costly inefficiencies and other process issues.Here are eight updates on the NSA and plans for its reform:
Researchers at Wilmington, Del.-based ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute identified a developmental genetic pattern tied to colorectal cancer growth, aggressiveness and patient survival, according to a news release shared with Becker’s by the system May 26. The study found that disruptions in WNT and retinoic acid signaling caused colon stem cells to stop maturing and overgrow, leading to changes in HOX genes that drive cancer growth and resistance. The HOX gene network contains 39 transcription factors involved in embryonic development.
Prior authorizations remain a major barrier to IBD care, with surveys showing that nearly all gastroenterologists view them as burdensome and detrimental to timely treatment. Research cited in the article found that 90% of insurance policies were inconsistent with AGA guidelines, while prior authorizations delayed treatment by an average of 10 days—or nearly 25 days for more complex cases. These delays were associated with a 13% increase in IBD-related healthcare utilization, including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and surgery, underscoring the growing administrative burden on both providers and patients.
Personalized nutrition is emerging as a major trend in gastroenterology, using microbiome data, biomarkers, genetics, and AI to tailor dietary recommendations to individual patients rather than relying on one-size-fits-all guidance. The article argues that advances in microbiome science and digital health are enabling more precise management of conditions such as IBS, IBD, and metabolic disorders. As platforms like ZOE and Viome scale personalized testing and recommendations, nutrition is increasingly being positioned as a data-driven clinical intervention that could improve outcomes, reduce trial-and-error treatment, and support more proactive GI care.
Mindray has expanded its Hepatus ultrasound platform, combining diagnostic ultrasound with elastography and AI-powered image acquisition to create a unified system for liver, bowel, and spleen assessment. The company says the new Hepatus 6 platform integrates quantitative liver stiffness measurements with high-resolution ultrasound, while AI-driven tools automate image capture and quality control. The launch reflects a broader trend toward consolidating multiple GI imaging capabilities into a single platform, potentially improving workflow efficiency and supporting earlier detection and monitoring of liver and gastrointestinal diseases.
NYU Langone is among the first U.S. centers using magnetic compression anastomosis, a novel technology that replaces staples with self-forming magnets to reconnect sections of the digestive tract during GI surgery. Surgeons believe it could represent the first major advance in bowel connection techniques in decades, with the potential to reduce complications such as bleeding, leaks, and strictures while shortening procedure times. Although currently being used in bariatric surgery, researchers see broader applications across GI surgery and even future endoscopic procedures if clinical outcomes continue to prove favorable.
A large study of more than 11,000 patients found that virtual multidisciplinary GI care—combining gastroenterology, nutrition, behavioral health, and care coordination—was associated with high levels of symptom improvement and control. Patients had a median wait time of just 6 days for their initial appointment, and outcomes improved with greater engagement. Among those completing four or more visits, 92.4% reported symptom improvement, 94.7% achieved symptom control, and 98.1% reported only mild or no symptoms. The study also found that involvement from dietitians and behavioral health specialists contributed significantly to symptom improvement, supporting the value of integrated, team-based GI care delivered virtually.
This is one of those articles that stays with you—not because of a shocking statistic, but because of the deeply human stories behind it. Three physicians who once viewed medicine as their calling share why they ultimately walked away. Their reasons differ—bullying during surgical training, loss of identity, moral injury from healthcare economics, and relentless administrative burdens—but a common theme emerges: many doctors aren’t leaving because they stopped caring; they’re leaving because the system made it increasingly difficult to care the way they wanted to. What makes the article compelling is that it goes beyond burnout headlines and explores a…