Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1156517
59 GASTROENTEROLOGY PE firm invests in 3 Pennsylvania GI practices, forms US Digestive Health By Eric Oliver A mulet Capital Partners formed US Digestive Health, a gastroin- testinal-focused practice management organization, through its investment in three Pennsylvania GI practices. What you should know: 1. Amulet merged Lancaster-based Regional GI, Wyomissing-based Digestive Disease Associates and Malvern-based Main Line Gastroenter- ology Associates through the deal. The resulting GI physician group is the seventh-largest in the nation. 2. US Digestive Health will provide the practices with business man- agement and administrative resources as well as industry contacts and enhanced technology solutions. 3. The resulting US Digestive Health platform will have 15 offices, seven ASCs and 88 clinicians. 4. Amulet tapped Jerry Tillinger to serve as US Digestive Health's CEO. Mr. Tillinger has years of experience with physician groups and ASCs. 5. Mount Kisco, N.Y.-based CareMount Medical CEO Scott Hayworth, MD, will oversee the practice management association's board. "Amulet's expertise in healthcare services and collaborative approach to working with physicians, along with a strong management team, will result in a value-added partnership built for long-term success," Mr. Till- inger said. n 3 key ways gastroenterologists can avoid burnout By Rachel Popa G astroenterologists are more prone to burnout than other physi- cians, according to Joseph C. Anderson, MD, of the Hanover, N.H.-based Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine. Dr. Anderson and Carol A. Burke, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic spoke at the American Gastroenterological Association's symposium on physician burnout earlier this month. Three ways gastroenterologists can avoid burnout: 1. Team-based care models that allow physicians to focus more on clini- cal work rather than administrative is effective in reducing burnout, Dr. Anderson said. 2. Dr. Burke said eating a healthy diet, exercising and getting enough sleep can help reduce feelings of burnout. She also recommended taking advantage of work flex hours and virtual visits to decrease work burden. 3. Gastroenterologists should also keep in mind that elevated levels of stress can lead to other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and depression, Dr. Burke said. Burnout also can affect patient care through decreased productivity and disengagement, she said. n To screen or not to screen? 45 is the question By Eric Oliver T wo gastroenterologists debated the virtues of universally screening patients for colorectal cancer at age 45, per the American Cancer Society's guidelines, Medpage Today reports. Former American College of Gastroenterology President Douglas Rex, MD, and former Ameri- can Gastroenterological Association President David Lieberman, MD, took the stage at Diges- tive Disease Week, May 18-21 in San Diego. What you should know: 1. Dr. Rex took the pro-stance, with the argu- ment that the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer continues to recommend that African Americans begin screening at age 45 de- spite a declining racial gap in CRC rates between the ages of 20 and 49. 2. Dr. Rex referenced a study published in Gas- troenterology, which suggested the recommenda- tion to begin screening African Americans at 45 should be upheld despite CRC rates increasing more in other races. CRC rates increased in white people, from 7.5 incidents per 100,000 pa- tients, to 11 incidents per 100,000 patients. e increase per 100,000 African American patients was from 11.7 to 12.7 per 100,000. "ere's less racial disparity," Dr. Rex said, "and it's reasonable to consider whether the recom- mendation should apply to all racial groups." 3. Dr. Lieberman argued against universal screening at 45. While early-onset CRC rates have increased, he believes gastroenterologists should spend more time determining which groups face an elevated risk and screen them first. 4. Dr. Lieberman said the industry needs more research to understand the worldwide increase in CRC rates and should dedicate resources to utilizing the best screening methods. "What's the best form of screening?" He asked. "Maybe it's sigmoidoscopy or a [fecal immu- nochemical test.] It might not necessarily be colonoscopy at age 45." n