Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1518055
22 GASTROENTEROLOGY The big trends this gastroenterologist is watching By Riz Hatton Low reimbursements and staff retention are just a few of the trends on gastroenterologists' minds. Stephen Amann, MD, gastroenterologist at Digestive Health Specialists in Tupelo, Miss., connected with Becker's to discuss the trends he is keeping an eye on. Note: is response has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Dr. Stephen Amann: ere are a number of things taking up my free time to contemplate, and they are as follows: AI in GI, reimbursement, recruitment and retention of gastroenterologists and extenders, and finally patient care. With the advent of AI — broad term — now with a firm hold on transforming how we do things, it will continue to provide opportunities as well as risk. I see AI as enabling us to be more efficient and responsive to patients to enhance their experience but will need physician experience and guidance on utilization. Physicians and patients need to be aware of AI hallucinations and misdirection in its current form. Physicians should make an effort to learn about AI and not be le behind. Reimbursement continues to be an issue in our Medicare-dominated system. With inflation, reimbursements for GI physician fees continue to decline our purchasing power and how we can therefore operate our practice. Physicians need to be forward thinking on their approach to new opportunities and also ensure appropriate reimbursement for services that we provide. ere is currently a GI physician shortage, so for the long term, practices need to develop retention plans for senior physicians and also expand and retain ancillary providers into the practice. Recruitment of new GI doctors will also be critical for patient service and support and will be on the minds of all practices. With the aforementioned issues, maintaining the physician-patient interaction is critical to direct compassionate care. Patients are more knowledgeable, savvy and have high expectations for improved patient experience. Navigating these expectations in a revenue-tight environment is a challenge. Also, we need to adopt technology to help us deliver this with better communication, scheduling, access and responsive care, for example. Practices that can adapt to the changing environment will be most successful. n The factors benefitting, hurting gastroenterology By Ariana Portalatin W hile technology has given gastroenterologists a leg up in the healthcare industry, there are still several factors that could drive them away from the field. Benjamin Levy, MD, a gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, recently spoke with Becker's to discuss the factors having a positive and negative impact on gastroenterologists. Editor's note: is response was lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: What are some factors that may contribute to gastroenterologists leaving the field? Dr. Benjamin Levy: One of the cool things about working in gastroenterology is that the technology is changing quickly, which has allowed gastroenterologists unique employment opportunities outside of traditional endoscopy and clinic work. Over the past few years, gastroenterologists have been asked to take on leadership roles in pharmaceutical research, with medical device companies (especially as artificial intelligence technology expands) and with companies developing multi-cancer early detection tests. Some gastroenterologists have been recruited to become chief medical officers of huge healthcare systems and chair of medicine because of our knowledge about hospital medicine, clinics and procedures. Private gastroenterology practices might have to get bigger By Riz Hatton When it comes to the survival of private gastroenterology practice, bigger may be better. Paul Berggreen, MD, chief strategy officer of GI Alliance and president of the American Independent Medical Practice Association, connected with Becker's to give his insights on the survival of private gastroenterology practices. Question: Will practices have to get bigger to survive in today's market? Dr. Paul Berggreen: For most of them, the answer is yes. I wouldn't say for all of them. I'll give you an example: in Phoenix at Arizona Digestive Health, that's 65 gastroenterologists, there are still groups of two, three, there's a group of six, but really there are not a lot of independent practices remaining. It's tough. I know a lot of those people and they're good doctors. They're sticking it out and adjusting their practices to try to remain relevant and survive and a lot of times just work harder. But that's really tough. So I do think private practice is going to continue to shrink if we don't change the trajectory. n