Author: admin

Curated GI articles May 19th, 2023:
‘Stunning’ change to United’s colonoscopy coverage roils physicians | Valuations and future of GI

‘Stunning’ change to United’s colonoscopy coverage roils physicians and patients (STAT)
The change, which the health insurer will implement on June 1, means that any United member seeking surveillance and diagnostic colonoscopies to detect cancer will first need approval from United — or else have to pay out of pocket.

Valuations, Competition, and the Future of GI (Levin Associates)
One GI CEO, Robbie Allen, sat down with Levin Associates to discuss what is driving investment in Gastroenterology.

FDA approves Rinvoq as first oral therapy for moderate to severe Crohn’s disease (Healio)
Upadacitinib is the first approved oral product to treat moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease.

Most in-demand states for gastroenterologist placement (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
New York tops the list of states that are most in-demand for permanent placement opportunities for gastroenterologists, according to a post from physician search and employment firm Merritt Hawkins.

DDW 2023: Insights on Becoming a Leader (GI & Endoscopy News)
Michelle Kang Kim, MD, PhD, the chair of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, talks about breaking the glass ceiling, sharing insights into the process of becoming a leader.

123s of Private Equity in GI (ByrdAdatto)
Private equity firms are attracted to this field due to the steady demand for gastrointestinal (GI) services, which are required by patients of all ages and demographics.

The myth of wealthy doctors: Why business education is vital for every physician (KevinMD)
There’s a myth surrounding physicians and money has become a beacon for all sorts of disingenuous, exploitive people who view doctors as fatted calves ready for the slaughter, belly-full of money, waiting to be drained.

Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH: How AI Can Help With Cancer Screenings (HCP Live)
In a presentation during the 2023 DDW, Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, Director of Research Outcomes, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYU Langone, discussed how doctors can better use new technologies like AI for cancer screenings.

ACG Issues Updated Guidance on Celiac Disease (GI & Endoscopy News)
The American College of Gastroenterology recently released an updated clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of celiac disease.

inFoods® IBS Test Now Validated for Use with Simple Finger Stick Whole Blood Collection Technology (GlobeNewswire)
inFoods IBS showed improvement in API similar to, and in some cases better than, current IBS drugs in the market.

Six Reasons To Consider Working Gastroenterology Locums (Medicus Healthcare)
A career as a locum tenens gastroenterologist provides solutions to some of the challenges in today’s gastroenterology workforce.

What physicians earned in 2022, in 4 charts (Advisory Board)
Physicians Thrive recently released its latest Physician Compensation Report, which describes the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on compensation, compensation by specialty, region, and more in 2022.

AI at the Office: Are Clinicians Prepared? (Medscape)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has arrived at medical offices, whether or not clinicians feel ready for it.

Exclusive: More Than 70% of Americans Feel Failed by the Health Care System (TIME)
More than 70% of U.S. adults feel the health care system is failing to meet their needs in at least one way, according to new data from the Harris Poll, shared exclusively with TIME.

AmSurg to buy Envision ASCs: 6 things to know about the management giant (Becker’s ASC)
Envision Healthcare has reached a restructuring agreement with its stakeholders, including ASC management center AmSurg, after announcing plans to file for bankruptcy.

For the Patient With Advanced Adenomas, UCSF Program Communicates Risk to Relatives (GI & Endoscopy News)
First-degree relatives of people with advanced adenomas have an increased risk for colorectal cancer, yet this risk often is unrecognized and appropriate screening often ignored.

Most Crohn’s and Liver Disease Info on TikTok Is Accurate: Studies (WebMD)
In one study, three medical residents reviewed 81 TikTok videos identified by a search for #crohnsdisease. All were posted since January 2021. They found of the 25% that were educational, 80% were accurate.

Intercept’s latest NASH bid in jeopardy after FDA questions drug’s efficacy, safety (Fierce Pharma)
The agency appears all but ready to reject the drug in NASH-related pre-cirrhotic liver fibrosis, according to a briefing document.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

Oshi Health Named One of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare in 2023 (PRWeb)

Beyond Celiac joins the #ShineALightOnCeliac campaign for celiac disease awareness (Healio)

Sen. Bernie Sanders renews push for Medicare for All to end ‘totally broken’ health-care system (CNBC)

AbbVie tackles ‘gutsy’ conversation in social media series for IBD sufferers (Endpoints News)

ASGE Partners with AMBU, the World Leader in Single-Use Endoscopy, to Advance Patient Care (ASGE)

Advanced Combination Treatment With Biologic Agents and Novel Small Molecule Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

Gut-directed hypnotherapy improves abdominal pain, stool consistency in IBS (Healio)

Gastro Health physicians to join Highland District Hospital (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

Curated GI articles May 12th, 2023:
GI Alliance, One GI expand | ChatGPT answers colonoscopy queries

How private GI practice could change in 10 years (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Stephen Amann, MD, a gastroenterologist at Digestive Health Specialists in Tupelo, Miss., discusses what private practice may look like 10 years from now.

Specialists in Gastroenterology Partners with GI Alliance (PR Newswire)
Gastroenterology management organization GI Alliance has partnered with St. Louis-based Specialists in Gastroenterology.

Iterative Health Partners with Allied Digestive Health for Clinical Trial Optimization (Business Wire)
This partnership combines ADH’s strength in providing the highest level of care in GI and Iterative Health’s strength in developing best in class AI and computer vision solutions for IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Physician Growth Partners advises Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater in transaction with One GI (EIN Presswire)
Physician Growth Partners advised Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater in its partnership with One GI. The transaction represents One GI’s continued expansion in the Virginia market.

Dr Yapp: Value Based Care in a Large Independent Metropolitan GI Practice (The Scope with Dr. K)
Dr. K is joined by Dr. Rockford Yapp, co-founder of GI Partners of IL, founder and chairman of the West Suburban Gut Club, and chairman of the board for the Dupage County Medical Society. They focus on the provider side of things specifically in private GI practice.

Linda S. Lee, MD, Talks About Using AI During DDW 2023 (HCPLive)
In an interview with HCPLive®, Linda S. Lee, MD, Director of Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, explained how the results show utilizing artificial intelligence could be a way to better increase accuracy in cancer screenings.

Part-Time Physician: Is It a Viable Career Choice? (Medscape)
Reducing clinical effort is one of the strategies physicians use to scale down overload, but is it viable as a long-term solution?

At-Home Monitoring Device Can Predict Crohn’s Disease Flares (Medscape)
Researchers found that increases in breathing rate, more awakenings at night, and slower walking speed accurately predicted that a person’s Crohn’s disease activity was about to flare.

Exact Sciences Announces First Quarter 2023 Results (PR Newswire)
Exact Sciences after the close of the market on Tuesday said its first-quarter revenue rose 24% to $602.5 million from $486.6 million in the prior-year quarter.

CRC screening rates are higher in Medicaid expansion states (MDedge)
Improving access to preventive health care services, such as colorectal cancer screening, for the poor and uninsured has led to better health outcomes, a study has shown.

Dedicated patient navigator cost-effective, improved FIT return rates by nearly 38% (Healio)
Adding a dedicated patient navigator improved fecal immunochemical testing completion and return rates and resulted in significant savings to the health care system.

ChatGPT Delivers Credible Answers to Colonoscopy Queries (Medscape)
ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, can provide easily understandable, scientifically adequate, and generally satisfactory answers to common patient questions about colonoscopy, new research suggests.

DDW 2023: Multiple Advantages Shown for Underwater EMR of Colorectal Polyps (GI & Endoscopy News)
Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection conveys numerous advantages over the conventional approach for the resection of colorectal polyps, according to a meta-analysis presented at Digestive Disease Week 2023.

Is your physician partnership working out? (Medical Economics)
Bringing in a physician partner has many advantages. However, business partners can become your greatest asset or worst liability.

AGA clinical practice update: Extraesophageal gastroesophageal reflux disease (MDedge)
Extraesophageal reflux (EER) symptoms are a subset of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that can be difficult to diagnose because of its heterogeneous nature and symptoms that overlap with other conditions.

Study: VA Surgeons Who Do Colonoscopies May Need More Training (MedPage Today)
The gap was apparent irrespective of patient sex or age, and whether the procedures were for routine screening or for follow-up of positive fecal test results.

Takeda cuts 2 midstage GI assets including Crohn’s hopeful in latest pipeline cleanup (Fierce Biotech)
Takeda caught attention recently for ending work on its early-stage gene therapy R&D, but a close reading of the Japanese pharma’s latest earnings report reveals it has also culled a couple of gastrointestinal assets.

The Gut Microbiome with Chris Damman, MD, MA (University of Washington School of Medicine)
Dr. Chris Damman, clinical associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at UW Medicine addresses how a new approach to what we put in our bodies is inspiring next-generation nutritional approaches to non-communicable diseases.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

Two Canadian Provinces Lift Licensing Barriers for US Doctors (Medscape)

Vivante Adds Prominent Gastroenterology Specialists to Clinical Advisory Board (Vivante Health)

Stanford to roll out ChatGPT-like feature for physicians next week (Becker’s Health IT)

Envision Healthcare likely to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy: WSJ (Fierce Healthcare)

Over-the-scope clips outdoes standard treatment in preventing gastrointestinal bleeding (CIMS)

Key Red Flags for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer (Medscape)

Splenic Injury in Colonoscopy (GI & Endoscopy News)

Physicians must give ‘extra care and attention’ to patients with NAFLD, COVID-19 (Healio)

What’s Next For AI In Healthcare In 2023 (The Medical Futurist)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

Curated GI articles May 5th, 2023:
What you need to know before DDW ’23 | A swallowable robot pill

Iterative Health Announces Upcoming U.S. Availability of SKOUT®: Real-Time AI for Polyp Detection (Business Wire)
SKOUT, which is the only FDA-cleared device of its kind evaluated in a US-based clinical study population will serve gastroenterologists across the country by detecting more adenomas with real-time AI and preserving existing workflows.

GI Alliance Announces ASGE Group Partnership (PR Newswire)
With the launch of this new institutional membership category, GI Alliance has become ASGE’s first group member with the joint goal of advancing the practice of GI.

UnitedHealthcare’s prior authorization request for GI endoscopy will spur ‘delays in care’ (Healio)
The procedures impacted by the new prior authorization policy will include diagnostic and surveillance colonoscopies, esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) and capsule endoscopies, a UnitedHealthcare release stated.

The Rise of Private Equity in Gastroenterology Practices (Gastroenterology & Hepatology)
The article examines PE investment in gastroenterology practices and how this may impact the specialty in the future.

The bargaining chip gastroenterologists are using to command higher salaries (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
As the demand for gastroenterologists drives competition for talent among hospitals, ASCs and megagroups, GI physicians are bargaining for higher salaries.

A swallowable robot pill to examine the gastric cavity. Torrey Smith, founder and CEO of Endiatx talks about the journey building Pillbot and tiny robots in the human body (GI StartUp Podcast)
In this episode, Torrey Smith discusses his journey from aerospace engineering, building Tesla coils at burning man, to founding Endiatx and making Pillbot; a pill-sized robot that can swim in the human stomach.

Prescribing Colonoscopy Bowel Preparations: Tips for Maximizing Outcomes (AJG)
The article reviews current bowel prep options, safety considerations, and best practice recommendations.

DDW23: Endoscopic ReCET Procedure Plus Semaglutide Eliminates Need for Insulin in Type 2 Diabetes (Medical Research)
An investigational outpatient endoscopic procedure may help eliminate the need for insulin in people with type 2 diabetes, early research has suggested.

Duodenal mucosal resurfacing for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (AASLD)
Duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR) is a novel endoscopic procedure that aims to achieve metabolic effects by intervening on the mucosal surface of the duodenum.

Sifter and Ayble Announce Partnership to Transform the Management of Chronic Digestive Diseases Through Diet (NewsWire)
The partnership provides Ayble members an unprecedented level of dietary support for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and other chronic digestive conditions.

Lynx.MD Partners with Prometheus Laboratories and Gastro Health to Leverage Medical Data Intelligence Platform for IBD (DigitalJournal)
The partnership will bring together 10-years of de-identified IBD clinical laboratory data and patient data, using the Lynx Trusted Data Environment, to research and demonstrate the value of the Prometheus Anser® IFX therapeutic drug monitoring test.

Nearly half of physicians regret career choice: Here’s how to fix it (Becker’s Healthcare)
With physician burnout rates at an all-time high, here are six ways for leaders to bring satisfaction back to the practice, per the AMA.

Recent malpractice verdict highlights importance of asset protection planning (Healio)
Among the various types of liability that physicians may face, including employee claims, HIPAA violations, cyber liability and slip-and-fall injuries, medical malpractice may be the most impactful.

What you need to know before DDW® 2023 (AGA)
DDW is almost here! Check out these tips and resources by AGA to maximize your experience.

Outperforming Human Pathologists – New Harvard-Developed AI Tool Predicts Colon Cancer Survival, Treatment Response (SciTech Daily)
The new tool can accurately predict the aggressiveness of a colorectal tumor, the likelihood of survival with and without disease recurrence.

Can My Practice Benefit From CON Regulations? (Rockett Healthcare)
Certificate of Need (CON) regulations are in place for ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) in about 20 states. For most physicians, these regulations stop them from forming their own ASC due to the high cost and complexity of coming into compliance.

Q&A: Screening-based test for colorectal cancer is ‘only as good as its uptake’ (Healio)
Guidelines that recommend stool-based screening for colorectal cancer should emphasize strict adherence and offer screening colonoscopy as an alternative option, researchers reported in Gastroenterology.

Kaiser Permanente Acquires Geisinger Health in $5 Billion Mega-Deal (Medscape)
The deal marks a significant turning point in the healthcare consolidations of the past two decades, albeit a perplexing one.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

FDA clears Olympus endoscopy systems and endoscopes (Mass Device)

ChatGPT outshines physicians in quality and empathy for online patient queries (News Medical)

Liquid biopsy assay can predict CRC recurrence early (MDedge)

23 celebrities with Crohn’s disease (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)

How a Gastroenterologist Cares for Her Gut (NY Times)

FDA: The heart-checking smart toilet seat is a go (Fierce Biotech)

DDW Sessions Where Surgeons and Gastroenterologists Meet (GI & Endoscopy News)

Quest Diagnostics pens $450M deal for cancer detection startup Haystack Oncology (Fierce Biotech)

Gastro Care Partners Announces David Pyle as Chief Executive Officer (Business Wire)

Vanderbilt mourns loss of former Gastroenterology director Burk (VUMC Reporter)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

Curated GI articles April 29th, 2023:
FDA approves first oral microbiome therapy | AGA awards $2.66M in research funding

The AGA Research Foundation awards $2.66 million in research funding (EurekAlert)
The program serves as a catalyst for discovery and career growth among the most promising researchers in gastroenterology and hepatology.

What’s next for minimally invasive gastroenterology procedures? (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Abhishek Gulati, MD, chief of gastroenterology at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, Calif., connected with Becker’s to discuss the future of minimally invasive gastroenterology procedures.

Benefits and Challenges of Apps, Digital Therapeutics in IBD Patient Care (GI & Endoscopy News)
The rise of healthcare apps and digital therapeutics has made it easier than ever for patients with IBD to access information about their health, but it also has prompted efforts to optimize the value of these products.

FDA approves first oral microbiome therapy Vowst. Will Nestlé be around to help Seres with the launch? (Fierce Pharma)
There are many over-the-counter probiotic food additions that one can eat, and now the FDA has approved the first oral microbiome to be used as a therapeutic.

Reviewing a Vibrating Capsule for Chronic Constipation (GI Insights)
To learn more about a novel FDA-approved vibrating capsule, join Dr. Peter Buch as he speaks with Dr. Eamonn Quigley, the David M. Underwood Chair of Medicine in Digestive Disorders and a Professor of Medicine at Houston Methodist.

Physician Compensation Continues to Climb Amid Postpandemic Change (Medscape)
Specialties with the biggest increases in compensation include oncology, anesthesiology, gastroenterology, radiology, critical care, and urology.

PE partners of 10 gastroenterology groups (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Private equity has seen a huge opportunity in gastroenterology in the last few years. Here are 10 gastroenterology groups, followed by their private equity partner and number of physicians.

Impact of AI on the Future of Patient Care (GI & Endoscopy News)
“In the next three years, automated scoring and assessment of disease activity will become a reality in non-biased and objective ways, leading to more personalized approaches to measuring disease activity,” stressed Ryan Stidham, MD, MS.

Let’s Talk About the Financial Burden of a Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis (and how it affects outcomes for patients) (Gastro Broadcast)
Dr. Lisa Mathew interviews Dr. Veena Shankaran, co-director of Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, about a new study that found most patients with metastatic colorectal cancer face financial hardship after diagnosis.

The Humble Stethoscope Has Much to Offer Gastroenterologists (Medscape)
Dr. David Johnson highlights some of Dr. Larry Brandt’s advice for different areas of the physical exam, as well as provides some of his expert tips.

Coming Soon To A Practice Near You: Hybrid Collaborative Care (Healthcare Business Today)
Digestive disorders are common and have a high economic burden. A recent clinical trial testing multidisciplinary care showed that patients reported 98% satisfaction, 89% improvement in quality of life and 92% reported symptom improvement.

Arizona bioscience firm rolls out colon cancer blood test in wake of CEO’s own diagnosis (The Business Journals)
After being diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, Jason McGrath is launching a blood test nationwide for the third-most common form of cancer in the U.S.

Revolutionizing patient care: the power of AI and GPTs in health care and combating physician burnout (KevinMD)
This article will discuss the role of leading AI models like Copilot Bing, Bard, BioGPT, GatorTron, and BiomedLM in health care, addressing ethical concerns, future implications, and the potential for combating physician burnout.

False Reassurance From a Stool Test: A Delayed Cancer Diagnosis (Cureus)
The article looks at a case that was complicated by the patient’s reluctance to undergo a colonoscopy and a unique combination of symptoms that led to a difficult diagnosis.

Ingestible “electroceutical” capsule stimulates hunger-regulating hormone (MIT News)
“This study helps establish electrical stimulation by ingestible electroceuticals as a mode of triggering hormone release via the GI tract,” says Giovanni Traverso, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Mercy Iowa City gastroenterologist killed in Sudan (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Bushra Sulieman, MD, a practicing gastroenterologist at Mercy Iowa City’s Gastroenterology Clinic, was stabbed to death in Sudan, according to an April 27 report from ABC affiliate KCRG.

How Private Equity Is Swallowing Up Health Care—And What to Do About It (Nonprofit Quarterly)
Understanding the role private equity is playing in health care is critical; only then can we begin to design solutions to the healthcare system that center public and community ownership.

Gut microbiome fluctuates throughout the day and across seasons, finds study (Medical Xpress)
The balance of microbes in the human gut varies substantially from morning to night and even more by season—with profound fluctuations completely transforming the microbiome from summer to winter.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

Physicians unite to back cornerstone of Medicare pay overhaul (AMA)

Bariatric-Metabolic Surgery More Effective Than Lifestyle Change for NASH
(MedPage Today)

At Moonshot forum, expert in early-onset colorectal cancer calls for greater trial funding (Healio)

Olympus launches EndoClot products for gastrointestinal procedures (Mass Device)

US Digestive Health celebrates the opening of new gastroenterology office in Collegeville, PA. (GlobeNewswire)

Guardant Health announces new data to be presented at 2023 Digestive Disease Week showcasing the potential of its blood-based technology to detect colorectal cancer (Business Wire)

Geisinger names new chair of gastroenterology (Geisinger)

Congress explores ways to address nationwide shortage of doctors (WFTV)

New ABIM Fees to Stay Listed as ‘Board Certified’ Irk Physicians (Medscape)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

Curated GI articles April 21st, 2023:
GI pay up 11% | One GI expands in Tennessee

Gastroenterologist pay up 11% in 2023: 8 stats to know (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Gastroenterologist income is up 11 percent in the last year, reaching $501,000 annually, according to Medscape’s 2023 “Physician Compensation Report”.

One GI® Partners with TransSouth, Further Strengthening Gastroenterology Services in Tennessee (PR Newswire)
One GI®, the leading network of independent gastroenterology practices, announces its partnership with TransSouth, one of West Tennessee’s long-standing independent gastroenterology practices.

New CPU: telemedicine in gastroenterology (AGA)
Experts outline which patients are best suited for telemedicine, how outcomes can be improved, regulatory requirements and more.

Validation, empathy, good communication’ key to minimize gaslighting in GI care (Healio)
Medical gaslighting takes place when a patient’s concerns about their health are dismissed, minimized or they do not feel heard.

Physicians May Retire En Masse Soon. What Does That Mean for Medicine? (Medscape)
A recent survey by Elsevier Health predicts that up to 75% of healthcare workers will leave the profession by 2025.

The Use of Biosimilars in Gastroenterology (HCP Live)
There are many reasons why biosimilars are not utilized in gastroenterology, mainly patients present younger and treatments can lose efficacy over time.

Guardant Health Receives Medicare Coverage for Guardant360 Response™ to Monitor Cancer Patient Response to Immunotherapy (Business Wire)
Following this decision, the Guardant360 Response test is now covered for fee-for-service Medicare patients in the U.S. with metastatic or inoperable solid tumors who are on an immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

ACG Issues New Guidance for Managing Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Lesions (GI & Endoscopy News)
The American College of Gastroenterology recently released a new clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of subepithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Colorectal Cancer Diagnostic Methods: The Present and Future (Cureus)
Recent advancements in artificial intelligence and genetics have prompted the creation of newer diagnostic tests.

Developing Better Healthcare Payment Models (that don’t reward consolidation at the expense of private practice) (Gastro Broadcast)
Dr. Fred Rosenberg interviews Harold Miller, president and CEO of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, national policy center that works to improve healthcare payment and delivery systems.

VIDEO: Precision nutrition app aims to treat ‘whole patient’ with GI disorders (Healio)
In a Healio video exclusive, Sam Jactel, CEO and founder of Ayble Health, highlights how the symptom management mobile app could improve quality of life for patients with chronic gastrointestinal conditions.

5 Chronic Mistakes That Can Sabotage Your Medical Practice (Medscape)
No matter the size, running a practice is a challenge. By being aware of — and more importantly steering clear of — some common but unrecognized pitfalls, you can increase your odds for success and profitability.

Why Are So Many Promising NAFLD Treatments Failing in Clinical Trials? (Medscape)
The ever-growing incidence of NAFLD has corresponded with the development of several therapeutic agents meant to treat it, none of which have yet been approved.

Why physicians are losing autonomy (KevinMD)
Different issues confront physicians which are leading to the rapid loss of freedom and autonomy for medical professionals.

IBD care updates of 2023 (so far): Promising strategies to improve patient quality of life (Healio)
Two of the most important goals in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease are to improve patient quality of life and increases the odds of remission.

Merck to buy Prometheus Biosciences for about $11 billion (CNBC)
Merck said on Sunday it will buy Prometheus Biosciences for about $10.8 billion, picking up a promising experimental treatment for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and building up its presence in immunology.

Gastroenterologists: 5 workforce stats to know (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
There are 15,678 active gastroenterologists in the country, according to the Association of American Medical College’s “2022 Physician Specialty Data Report.”

Boomerang Medical Announces First Patients Enrolled in Multi-Center Clinical Trial Evaluating Breakthrough Bioelectronic Device for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Business Wire)
The trial will primarily examine the safety and performance of the device in patients with mild to moderately severe Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

UMC Implements Region’s First Of Its Kind AI Colonoscopy Screening Technology (University Medical Center of El Paso)

Biomerica’s inFoods® IBS test is now available at Gastro Health, providing a revolutionary new treatment for patients suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (Globe Newswire)

10 celebrities with IBS (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)

FDA clears Meridian Bioscience’s Shiga Toxin test, expanding GI testing platform (Healio)

Dxcover Presents Data on Liquid Biopsy Platform for Early Colorectal Cancer Detection at 2023 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting (BioSpace)

Burnout Common in Pediatric GIs (GI & Endoscopy News)

FDA grants fast track status to Agenus’ colorectal cancer combination therapy (Pharmaceutical Technology)

Epic, Microsoft bring GPT-4 to EHRs (Modern Healthcare)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

COVID-19: The Way Forward for Gastroenterology Practices
COVID-19 is a double whammy of both clinical and business disruption. This ebook will help you explore possible scenarios and be a guide in your plans for the future.

Curated GI articles April 14th, 2023:
Oshi Health raises $30M | AGA fund invests in EvoEndo

5 numbers making gastroenterologists nervous (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Here are five statistics gastroenterology leaders should keep an eye on as compiled by Becker’s Healthcare.

Oshi Health Raises $30M Series B Funding to Scale Access to Its Virtual Multidisciplinary Digestive Care (Oshi Health)
New investor Koch Disruptive Technologies joins existing investors to reinforce Oshi’s market lead and address surging demand from patients, employers, health plans and provider groups.

Highlighting Innovative Technology in the GI Space (GI & Endoscopy News)
Harish Gagneja, MD, and Frank Gress, MD, provide valuable insights into the importance of new technology and its relevance to modern clinical practice, from a private practice and academic perspective, respectively.

EvoEndo Announces Investment from AGA’s GI Opportunity Fund (Business Wire)
EvoEndo, medical device company developing platforms for Unsedated Transnasal Endoscopy (TNE), announced that the company received an investment from the AGA’s new venture capital fund, GI Opportunity Fund 1.

Why my independent GI practice started a GI fellowship program (MDedge)
In this video Naresh Gunaratnam, MD, discusses the gastroenterology fellowship program that Huron Gastroenterology developed with Trinity Health in Ann Arbor, Mich.

GI-focused digital health startup Ayble Health launches DTC app, nutrition program (Fierce Healthcare)
Ayble Health, a digital health company focused on chronic GI conditions, has launched a direct-to-consumer app with a program targeting nutrition.

”They All Laughed When I Spoke of Greedy Doctors” (Medscape)
Spoken by Dr Ralph Crawshaw at the Oregon Medical Association, as documented in the Western Journal of Medicine.

Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches (MSPB) has acquired Palm Beach Digestive Associates (PBDA) with support from Ascend Partners and CareAbout (PR Newswire)
With more than 10 highly experienced specialists, PBDA will become MSPB’s Gastrointestinal Division.

Introducing OMED Health: Enabling patients to understand and manage their digestive health (Select Science)
OMED Health, a dedicated, patient-centric brand and digital platform that will offer patients and clinicians access to breath-based diagnostic tests, point-of-care devices and support resources for a range of conditions.

Down but not out: healthcare private equity deals reached nearly $90 billion in 2022, the industry’s second-biggest year on record (PR Newswire)
Despite a slowdown caused by macro-economic and geopolitical forces in the second half of the year, 2022 was still the second-best year on record for healthcare dealmaking.

Patients with IBD express need for psychosocial support (MDedge)
Discussions about mental health challenges are difficult. In response, the AGA has launched the My IBD Life campaign to provide resources to patients and help their healthcare providers become active partners in psychosocial care.

AI-identified histologic feature may offer ‘prognostic value,’ inform care in colon cancer (Healio)
A prognostic study validated the use of an artificial intelligence-derived tumor adipose feature, which may aid risk stratification of colon cancer and provide prognostic value when integrated into practice.

Option to Cross Over to Colonoscopy Essential in Stool-Based Screening Programs (MedPage Today)
30% crossover rate in one study, with greatest number of advanced lesions was found in this group.

Flurry of early GI care updates may set pace for 2023: What you may have missed (Healio)
Guidelines are constantly changing, making it a challenge to keep up with the latest updates and recommendations. If you have missed any of these, we have compiled a list of the current ACG and AGA developments.

Private equity firm acquires one of nation’s largest independent physician associations (Medical Economics)
The physician-led Independent Physician Association of New York, one of the largest in the nation, has been acquired by the private equity-backed Vytalize Health, through an investment in Practice Management of America.

Dietary therapy for EoE is an effective first-line treatment (AGA)
A new guide published in CGH aims to summarize the evidence in support of elimination diets and provides a 50-page dietary resource to help providers successfully implement dietary therapies for EoE.

The best, worst parts of being a gastroenterologist (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Gastroenterologist Linda Lee, MD, medical director of endoscopy at Boston-based Brigham and Women’s Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Boston’s Harvard Medical School shares her insights.

Report: How Much Do Physicians Bill Each Year? (D Magazine)
The report found that orthopedic surgeons ($9.8 million), critical care physicians ($6.7 million), urologists ($5.8 million), and gastroenterologists ($5.5 million) joined general surgeons at the top of the list.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

Patients with rectal cancer report ‘good’ quality of life with watch-and-wait approach (Healio)

New Colorectal Cancer Data Reveal Troubling Trends (Medscape)

Oncocyte announces results for gene expression test in colorectal cancer clinical trial (Lab Pulse)

Big Tech Made Huge Moves in the Healthcare Industry in the Past Year (Hacker Noon)

These gutsy brothers want to fix your gut health—and give Tums and Pepcid heartburn (Fast Company)

Prehabilitation results in ‘significantly lower’ complications after CRC resection (Healio)

UnitedHealth quietly scoops up New York physician group Crystal Run (Fierce Healthcare)

Pear Therapeutics files for bankruptcy (MobiHealthNews)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

COVID-19: The Way Forward for Gastroenterology Practices
COVID-19 is a double whammy of both clinical and business disruption. This ebook will help you explore possible scenarios and be a guide in your plans for the future.

Curated GI articles April 7th, 2023:
CRC blood tests: A future without screening colonoscopies (Medscape)

Virgo and CTNx Partner to Power GI Clinical Trials (Newswire)
The partnership will expand and accelerate the identification, selection, and enrollment of patients in GI clinical trials across CTNx’s expansive network of 30+ high-quality GI trial sites using Virgo’s endoscopy data capture and AI platform.

Why United Digestive swapped private equity partners and what’s next (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
United Digestive CEO Mark Gilreath and President Neal Patel, MD, spoke with Becker’s to discuss why the company decided to choose a new private equity partner and what is next for the management services organization.

GI lends itself to multiple career paths, says Boston physician (MDedge)
Daniel Leffler, MD, MS, AGAF, has some advice for young physicians starting out in their careers: Don’t be afraid of change.

Aetna adds in-network access to virtual digestive care company Oshi Health (Vator)
This is pretty important as GI issues affect tens of millions of people, adding up to billions of dollars in avoidable spending.

The Future of Care for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction with the ROME Foundation (Healio)
In this podcast episode, Douglas Drossman, MD, and Johannah Ruddy MEd, discuss methods of destigmatizing chronic illness for patients and physicians, technology’s effect on the doctor-patient relationship and more.

CRC Blood Tests: A Future Without Screening Colonoscopies? (Medscape)
US regulators may soon clear blood-based biomarker tests for colorectal cancer (CRC), expanding potential options for patients seeking more convenient forms of screening.

‘I can’t imagine any other medical specialty’: Why 3 gastroenterologists would choose the same path again (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Practicing gastroenterology offers a healthy mix of patient care and research, making it an alluring option for many.

Inflation adjustments for Medicare payments? Yes, please (Medical Economics)
A bipartisan House bill has been introduced that would tie the Medicare fee schedule to the Medicare Economic Index, creating an annual inflation-based update.

April Issue of AJG Discusses Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors, H. pylori Infection, and Crohn’s Therapies (Newswise)
This month we also published articles on cyclic vomiting syndrome, diverticulitis, Barrett’s esophagus, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, IBD, pancreatitis, and more.

Laborie Launches alpHaONE, an Innovative GERD Diagnostic System (Biospace)
The alpHaONE system is specifically designed to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and offers up to 96 hours of monitoring data.

Why investors are eyeing these 3 specialties (Becker’s ASC)
Investors are keeping their eye on gastroenterology, cardiology and orthopedics, according to McDermott Health’s “2023 Physician Practice Management” report.

A Gastroenterologist’s Guide To Bowel Prep (GI & Endoscopy News)
Current quality indicators recommend that gastroenterologists should strive for adequate bowel preparation in greater than 85% of exams.

Boston Scientific completes Apollo Endosurgery acquisition (Mass Device)
The acquisition was announced in November and had an enterprise value of approximately $615 million.

Malpractice Risks for Docs Who Oversee NPs or PAs (Medscape)
Court cases show that physicians continually underestimate their liability in supervising nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).

Providence to use a blood test to detect cancer (Becker’s Healthcare)
Renton, Wash.-based Providence is expanding its partnership with healthcare company Grail to give patients access to a blood test that can detect hard-to-diagnose cancers.

Study: ChatGPT has potential to help cirrhosis, liver cancer patients (EurekAlert)
The AI chatbot may help improve health outcomes for patients with cirrhosis and liver cancer by providing easy-to-understand information about basic knowledge, lifestyle and treatments for these conditions.

New Research: More Than Half of IBS Patients Surveyed Report Waiting More Than One Year Before Discussing IBS Symptoms With Their Healthcare Provider (Accesswire)
The report offers a current understanding of the behaviors and experiences of the IBS and CIC patient population, including insights on diagnosis, barriers to provider discussions, and symptom management.

Endoscopy continues to blur the lines with surgery (AGA)
Dr. RJ Sealock and Dr. Thiru Muniraj share their experiences performing minimally invasive alternatives to surgery, discussing both sides of gastrointestinal perforations – treating and creating.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

When healthcare is decided by algorithms, who wins? (The Verge)

Updated guidance provided for GI clinicians on alpha-gal syndrome
(Medical Xpress)

Uber Health is More Than Just a Transportation Platform (E-Care Management)

Does Exercise Help or Hinder GERD? (Medscape)

Researchers do not recommend uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction for laparoscopic gastrectomy (Healio)

The Need For Diversity And Cultural Competency For Physicians In America (Forbes)

UnitedHealthcare to Cut Prior Authorizations for Some Procedures (WebMD)

GI advocacy group kicks off #YouandIBS campaign for IBS Awareness Month (Healio)

Treatment de-escalation in Crohn’s disease (The Lancet GI & Hepatology)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

COVID-19: The Way Forward for Gastroenterology Practices
COVID-19 is a double whammy of both clinical and business disruption. This ebook will help you explore possible scenarios and be a guide in your plans for the future.

Curated GI articles March 31st, 2023:
United Digestive gets a “second bite” | Dr. Weber on GI’s workforce shortage

Key Recommendations from AGA Conference on the Future of AI in GI (GI & Endoscopy News)
The conference reflected the increasing role that AI has started to play in GI and hepatology and the increasing recognition that leaders in the field will need to collectively address.

United Digestive Partners with Kohlberg & Company (PR Newswire)
NY-based Kohlberg & Company announced that it has partnered with United Digestive. * Praveen predicted these “second bites” in March 2019. Read Page 32 from Private Equity in Gastroenterology and in Scope Forward.

Should GI own the obesity field? (MDedge)
Gastroenterologists are uniquely positioned to treat obesity, according to a panel of experts convened by the American Gastroenterological Association.

What’s causing gastroenterology’s workforce shortage? (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
James Weber, MD, founder and CEO of GI Alliance, spoke with Becker’s to discuss the biggest obstacle the gastroenterology industry is facing today — physician workforce shortages.

High EHR Burden for Some GI Providers (Medscape)
Among those who provide gastrointestinal (GI) care, electronic health records (EHRs) may be particularly burdensome for physicians who specialize in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or hepatology.

Growing Scrutiny of Private Equity in Health Care (JD Supra)
Despite their laudable contributions to innovation, efficiency, and influx of cash investment into the health care sector, PE firms do not always get a good rap.

Illinois Gastroenterology Group settles class action litigation for undisclosed sum (DataBreaches)
The incident involved unnamed threat actors accessing and exfiltrating data on more than 227,000 patients.

New hope for bowel cancer patients as blood test could spare patients chemotherapy  (Independent)
The TRACC study, which involves the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London, aims to predict relapse in colorectal cancer.

Biliary Strictures Clinical Practice Guidelines (ACG, 2023) (Medscape)
The guidelines by ACG on the diagnosis and management of biliary strictures provide guidance on the care of patients with extrahepatic and perihilar strictures.

Breaking Down Barriers to CRC Screening (understanding the lives of patients outside the doctor’s office) (Gastro Broadcast)
Join Dr. Mathew and Ms Carlotta-McDonald to hear how Project Access is addressing barriers to screening, and other social determinants that can have an impact on CRC screening.

After stumbles, Google’s still betting on health care (Politico)
Google is betting its future on health care, but the company’s journey so far has been a little bumpy.

No Clear Patterns Emerging in Crohn’s Disease Treatment Outcomes in Recent Years (HCP Live)
An overview of treatment outcomes for patients with Crohn’s disease showed no discernable patterns in clinical remission and response has emerged in recent years.

5 new technologies trends in healthcare worth following in 2023 (ICT&health)
Medical versions of ChatGPT, home mini-labs, prescribable digital therapeutics, and smart homes assisting in healthy living – here are the latest technological developments heralding essential changes in healthcare.

Gastroenterologist vs. general surgeon pay in 40 states (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Gastroenterologists earn less than general surgeons in every state, according to 2022 salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Personalized Gut Microbiome Analysis for Colorectal Cancer Classification with Explainable AI (ReachMD)
Researchers have developed various artificial intelligence (AI) models to help them analyze which bacterial species are useful as CRC biomarkers.

High mortality rates prove lean patients with NAFLD should ‘be taken seriously’ (Healio)
Lean patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease had significantly higher mortality than non-lean patients, despite having lower rates of cirrhosis and diabetes.

Physicians suffer when hospitals struggle to find digital health solutions (Medical Economics)
A report from Panda Health found that hospitals face extensive challenges in selecting new digital health solutions and that these delays hurt physicians.

162 gastroenterologists celebrated as ‘Exceptional Women in Medicine’ by Castle Connolly (Becker’s ASC)
Castle Connolly recognized 162 female gastroenterologists for their achievements in medicine on this year’s “Exceptional Women in Medicine” list.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

Will the Big Shifts at Medtronic Boost Revenue, Rating? (Nasdaq)

Blood-Based Assay Tested for CRC Screening (GI & Endoscopy News)

A Case Report and Literature Review of Rectosigmoid Crohn’s Disease: A Diagnostic Pitfall Ultimately Leading to Spontaneous Colonic Perforation (Cureus)

Interview With Dr. Dale Whitebloom: Not All Colonoscopies Are Created Equal (US Digestive Health)

Johns Hopkins spinoff launches GI cancer detection test (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)

Eli Lilly Poised to Nab First to Market Advantage with its IL-23 Inhibitor Mirikizumab in Ulcerative Colitis, Creating an Opportunity to Build a Loyal Base Ahead of AbbVie and Janssen’s Respective IL-23 Entries, According to Spherix Global Insights (PR Newswire)

51 GI facilities receive 2022-2023 patient choice award (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)

VIDEO: Expanding insurance, access to care ‘vital to decreasing’ CRC screening disparities (Healio)

Validation of a Pragmatic Clinical Risk-Based Classification of NASH – New Supporting Real World Evidence from TARGET-NASH (PR Newswire)

Ambulatory IBD Patients at a Greater Risk of Malnutrition (HCP Live)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

COVID-19: The Way Forward for Gastroenterology Practices
COVID-19 is a double whammy of both clinical and business disruption. This ebook will help you explore possible scenarios and be a guide in your plans for the future.

Curated GI articles March 24th, 2023:
Microbiome co raises €13M | Medtronic, NVIDIA AI platform for GI | SV Bank failure & docs

Medtronic and NVIDIA Collaborate to Build AI Platform for Medical Devices (NVIDIA)
Integrating NVIDIA technology into Medtronic’s real-time AI endoscopy device to help improve patient care and outcomes. Here’s Praveen’s post on the first ever GI Genius Summit.

‘Physician payment is always in the crosshairs’: How reimbursement rates affect gastroenterologists (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
The combination of decreased physician reimbursements and increased procedure costs continues to put physician pay in peril.

Vivante Expands Virtual GI Care with AI-Driven Care Plans (HIT Consultant)
Users will now receive AI-driven, personalized care plans guided by an expert team of coordinated care providers including gastroenterologists, internal medicine specialists, dietitians and health coaches.

Working in healthcare hasn’t gotten better. Career changes are still rising (Linkedin)
Healthcare professionals are continuing to make job transitions at a rapid pace compared to pre-pandemic, with the number of career changes last year topping even 2021’s dramatic spike.

AI-assisted colonoscopy doesn’t always improve adenoma detection: Study (MDedge)
Computer-aided detection (CADe) during colonoscopy may not lead to major improvements in key measures, particularly in community-based settings, according to a new study.

AGA launches ‘My IBD Life’ campaign to provide resources, support for patients, physicians  (Healio)
With recent data highlighting the emotional and social challenges of inflammatory bowel disease, AGA has launched the My IBD Life campaign to address the growing need for psychosocial support in patient care.

In Low-Risk Patients, Colonoscopy Interval May Go Beyond 10 Years (GI & Endoscopy News)
A negative result on a screening colonoscopy appears to be highly predictive of no colorectal cancer even when screening intervals exceed 10 years, according to a recent large study.

Silicon Valley Bank failure: What physicians need to know (Medical Economics)
Many physicians are concerned and seeking advice if they should move their money from local banks to larger banks.

Microbiome therapeutics biotech mbiomics raises €13M (Labiotech)
mbiomics said it can spearhead the emerging field of synthetic microbial consortia with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of a wide range of diseases, from cancer to inflammatory bowel diseases.

Digital Lifestyle Intervention Tools May Help Patients With NAFLD (Medscape)
Digital therapeutics (DTx), which provide evidence-based interventions through software programs, could benefit patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a new review.

Diagnosing and Treating Functional GI Disorders with a Multidisciplinary Team Approach (CDI)
Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life, and effective diagnosis and treatment require a multidisciplinary approach.

No Clear Patterns Emerging in Crohn’s Disease Treatment Outcomes in Recent Years (HCP Live)
An overview of treatment outcomes for patients with Crohn’s disease showed no discernable patterns in clinical remission and response has emerged in recent years.

Guardant Health collaborates with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center to study colorectal cancer screening adherence (Business Wire)
The Ohio State University-led study will evaluate changes in CRC screening adherence in underserved urban and rural communities.

Research: What Happens When Private Equity Firms Buy Hospitals? (Harvard Business Review)
An analysis published in the Harvard Business Review suggests that policy discussions around private equity in healthcare should move beyond simplistic labeling of the practice as either “good” or “bad”.

Advantages Shown for Endoscopic Management of Necrotizing Pancreatitis (GI & Endoscopy News)
Endoscopic management of necrotizing pancreatitis alone or with percutaneous drainage of symptomatic pancreatic fluid collections has multiple advantages over surgery or percutaneous drainage alone.

Previse Closes $3M Seed To Tackle Early Cancer Detection And Launches Company’s First Esophageal Cancer Prognostic Test (PR Newswire)
Capsulomics, announces official rebrand as Previse and launches their first product to enable accurate prognosis and detection data for those prone to Esophageal Cancer.

Physician Suicide: Investigating Its Prevalence and Cause (Medscape)
Physicians are admired for their sacrifice and dedication. Yet beneath the surface lies a painful, quiet reality: Physicians may take their lives more than any other professional.

Partnership to Support National Gastroenterology-Focused Clinical Registry (Health IT Analytics)
The GI Quality Improvement Consortium, Inc. has tapped Health Catalyst to address data entry and management challenges within its clinical registry.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

Why Is Colorectal Cancer Rising in Younger People? (Medscape)

Lone star tick bites may be to blame for unexplained digestive problems (Medical Xpress)

A Physician’s Visual Guide To Artificial Intelligence (The Medical Futurist)

Colorectal cancer screening rates rose significantly after USPSTF lowered recommended age (Healio)

‘We’re getting much more aggressive’: Microsoft’s Nuance adds GPT-4 AI to its medical note-taking tool (STAT)

6 Tips for Gastroenterology Providers Treating Patients With Autism (GI & Endoscopy News)

Tell UnitedHealthcare to stop new prior authorization requirements (AGA)

In Barrett Esophagus Surveillance, Slower Is Better (Medscape)

Could the gut microbiota explain why inflammatory bowel diseases are on the rise? (Gut Microbiota for Health)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

COVID-19: The Way Forward for Gastroenterology Practices
COVID-19 is a double whammy of both clinical and business disruption. This ebook will help you explore possible scenarios and be a guide in your plans for the future.

Curated GI articles March 17th, 2023:
AGA Shark Tank winner | Gut on a chip | 4 GI device innovations

This reimbursement issue poses a ‘real challenge’ for gastroenterologists (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
Vivek Kaul, MD, Segal-Watson professor of medicine in the gastroenterology and hepatology division at the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center, discusses the biggest challenge GIs face regarding reimbursement rates for GI procedures.

And the winner of this year’s Shark Tank is… (AGA)
Find out which of the five finalists was declared the winner at last week’s AGA Tech Summit.

ctDNA Testing in Colorectal Cancer Deemed Promising but Not Ready for Prime Time (Cancer Therapy Advisor)
Researchers maintain that additional studies are needed to confirm whether and how ctDNA testing should be used in practice.

‘Highly effective care’ boosted by collaboration between GI dietitians, psychologists (Healio)
In gastroenterology, two key members of a care team — GI dietitians and GI psychologists — work together to improve their patients’ nutritional status, manage gastrointestinal symptoms and enhance food-related and overall quality of life.

Four gastroenterology device innovations doctors need now (Medical Design & Outsourcing)
Two gastroenterologists share what device innovations would help in better diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal diseases.

Personalised nutrition startup Zoe stomachs $2.5 million (Tech.eu)
Adding on to a $38 million Series B extension round, London’s not-yet-available-in-the-UK personalised nutrition startup Zoe welcomes a new member to the cap table.

AGA clinical practice update: Telemedicine in gastroenterology (MDedge)
Dr. Gellad and colleagues penned a clinical practice update based on recently published studies and the experiences of the authors, who are active gastroenterologists and hepatologists.

Private Equity And The Monopolization Of Medical Care (Forbes)
As more doctors from a particular specialty and/or community join up, private equity firms raise prices on their behalf, knowing insurers will have no choice but to agree.

Disconnect Between ACG/AGA Guidelines and Insurance Policies on IBD Biologics (GI & Endoscopy News)
Many major insurance companies do not adhere to the most recent recommendations on inflammatory bowel disease treatment from the AGA and the ACG, according to an analysis of insurance company policies.

Doctors Aren’t Burned Out From Overwork. We’re Demoralized by Our Health System (NY Times)
A report estimated that in 2021 alone, about 117,000 physicians left the work force, while fewer than 40,000 joined it. This has worsened a chronic physician shortage.

Physicians say prior authorization rules harm patients, AMA survey finds, as CMS works toward new policy (Healthcare Dive)
Over a third of physicians said the requirements led to a serious adverse event for one of their patients, such as hospitalization, permanent impairment or death, the survey found.

Mayo Clinic Healthcare expert: Artificial intelligence improves colonoscopy accuracy (Mayo Clinic)
Artificial intelligence can be added to a traditional colonoscopy to identify polyps that otherwise might be overlooked.

Top 5 best paying cities for gastroenterologists (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)
A list of the top five best paying cities for gastroenterologists of any experience level in any practice setting and their respective average salaries.

Novel artificial intelligence–enabled deep learning system to enhance adenoma detection: a prospective randomized controlled study (Science Direct)
This study assesses clinical quality outcomes during white-light colonoscopy with and without a novel AI computer-aided detection system.

ACG Issues Updated Guidance on Gastroparesis (GI & Endoscopy News)
Lead author Michael Camilleri, MD, DSc, a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine, physiology and pharmacology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., about the impetus for the guideline and what it means to GI practice.

Gut on a Chip: Another Step Forward in Microbiome Research (Medscape)
An emerging technology, called “gut on a chip,” promises to open the door to experiments never before possible and promising to advance medical research, according to a new paper.

Four Reasons Why Clinical Research Can Be a Natural Fit for Private Practices (Nashville Medical News)
Participating in a clinical trial can have clear benefits for both a private practice and the patients they serve.

COVID Raises Risk for Long-Term GI Complications (Medscape)
People who have had COVID-19 have a 36% overall higher risk of developing gastrointestinal problems in the year after infection than people who have not had the illness, a large new study indicates.

---

MORE HOT HEADLINES FOR GI

Biden 2024 Budget Proposal Includes Billions for Cancer Moonshot (Medscape)

Colonoscope market to hit $6B by 2030 (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)

Are You Misdiagnosing IBS? Watch Out for This Mimic (Medscape)

Increasing CRC Screening Rates in Latino Communities (awareness and access to care are key to success) (Gastro Broadcast)

MetaPhy Launches MyCare Program at Digestive Health Center in Thibodaux, LA (MetaPhy Health)

NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem CEO Shares Colonoscopy Experience on Video to De-Stigmatize Life-Saving Procedure (NYC Health and Hospitals)

Oshi Health appoints new CFO, CCO (Becker’s GI & Endoscopy)

Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty May Have Advantages Over Balloon (GI & Endoscopy News)

Videos: Interviews with GI Leaders  (Scope Forward Show/NextServices)

_

COVID-19: The Way Forward for Gastroenterology Practices
COVID-19 is a double whammy of both clinical and business disruption. This ebook will help you explore possible scenarios and be a guide in your plans for the future.