Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1416329
52 GASTROENTEROLOGY Independence Blue Cross lowers colorectal cancer screening coverage age to 45 By Marcus Robertson I ndependence Blue Cross now covers and recom- mends preventive colorectal cancer screening for members beginning at age 45, the company said Sept. 13 in an email release. "If people are screened earlier, more cancers will be prevented, and more lives will be saved," said Richard Snyder, MD, Independence's chief medical officer and executive vice president of facilitated health networks. A peer-reviewed study in JAMA Network Open found Black men and women more vulnerable to colorectal cancer than their white counterparts, with Black men the most vulnerable group in the U.S. The lowered minimum age aligns with May 2021 up- dates to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guide- lines. n The great equalizer: Why these 3 GI physicians are excited about AI By Marcus Robertson N ew technology can turn an industry on its head, and these three gastroenterologists have all pointed out ar- tificial intelligence as the most exciting future disrupter for their field. Note: e following responses were lightly edited for style and clarity. Question: What GI technology are you most excited about today? Joseph Feuerstein, MD. Beth Israel Deaconess (Boston): One of the most exciting technologies emerging in the field now is the use of artificial intelligence to aid in polyp detection. While this is definitely not a replacement for careful, high-quality screening by a skilled endoscopist, it is a wonderful aid to com- plement the endoscopist's skill in finding and removing polyps. e goal of all colon cancer screening programs is to provide the highest-quality colonoscopy with resection of all polyps to pre- vent colon cancer. AI provides a potentially equalizing platform that will enhance all endoscopists' ability to detect polyps. Each iteration of the AI is likely to improve and provide even better results over the next few years. Linda Lee, MD. Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston): I am most excited about the impact of AI on [gastroenterology] because this can be a disruptive force across the entire field. For example, in endoscopy, the easiest thing to envision is the use of AI algorithms to assist the physician in identifying various le- sions. However, it will impact endoscopy operations from supply chain management to schedule optimization and patient calls about preparations and procedures. One can envision a similar impact on scheduling in outpatient clinics, including ensuring patients get scheduled with the cor- rect subspecialty providers for the appropriate visit length, based on the patient's issues and accounting for anticipated no-shows. It will be exciting to see how AI helps us deliver higher-quality and more efficient care to our patients. Jason Dominitz, MD. Veterans Affairs Puget Sound (Seattle): I am most excited about advances in artificial intelligence for en- doscopy, especially with respect to colonoscopy. is technology offers tremendous potential for improving [abnormal growth] detection and classification, and for assessing the overall quality of the colonoscopy. n GIs 'need a better understanding of the therapeutic options,' physician says By Patsy Newitt B rian Dooreck, MD, gastroenterologist at Gastroin- testinal Diagnostic Centers in Pembroke Pines, Fla., spoke with Becker's ASC Review on the surgical technique shaping his practice. Q: What novel surgical technique has had the most significant impact on your practice? Why? Dr. Brian Dooreck: As more and more patients are inter- ested in stopping chronic medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors, endoscopic therapy for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease is evolving. Patients are also looking for alternatives to traditional antireflux surgery. In my opinion, gastroenterologists need a better understanding of the therapeutic options, besides surgical intervention, to patients who cannot or do not wish to take chronic PPI medications for GERD. n