Gastroenterology and Hepatology Specialty Profile

Gastroenterology is the specialty with deals with diseases of the entire gastrointestinal tract and associated organs including the liver, biliary tract and pancreas. Often a significant proportion of the work involves endoscopic procedures. These specialists deal with a mix of acute (e.g upper gastrointestinal bleeding) and chronic (e.g inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease) pathology, which varies from functional and/or relatively minor (e.g dyspepsia) to life-threatening (e.g acute hepatic failure and bleeding oesophageal varices). A range of technical procedures are employed which provide both diagnostic information and the potential for therapeutic intervention. These are likely to become more numerous and more effective as technology advances.

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Gastroenterology and Hepatology Training Program

Training Program

Advanced training is overseen by the Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) in gastroenterology. A comprehensive guide to the vocational training program is available from the RACP website in the advanced training section of the Requirements for Physician Training handbook.... more

Application process

A centralised computer-based online matching system is being developed, and has already commenced in Victoria & Tasmania. However, this new process does not obviate the need to liaise directly with hospital department directors. In other states, trainees are currently required... more

Length of Training

Advanced training in gastroenterology requires a minimum of 3 years, including a 2 year period of core training and one year of non core training typically devoted to research, gaining further experience in a specialized area of gastroenterology, or training... more

Cost of Training

See Physicians - Cost of Training... more

Availability/Competition for training positions

In 2006, there were a total of 72 advanced physician trainees in gastroenterology (the third largest group). There was an intake of 21 new first year advanced trainees. Positions for gastroenterology training tend to be very competitive.... more

Flexibility in Training

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Gastroenterology and Hepatology Case Study

Dr. Jeremy Ryan

Dr. Jeremy Ryan

Name: Dr. Jeremy Ryan

Career stage: Consultant

Location: Melbourne, Victoria and Warrigal and Sale in regional Victoria

Medical Specialty: Gastroenterology and Hepatology

What do you enjoy most about your specialty?

I enjoy the procedural work including gastroscopy and colonoscopy .It is investigative procedural work. It requires a technical skill that you enjoy doing because you gain an expertise and do it well....

What are the challenges in gastroenterology?

The challenge is always to come up with a solution to the patient's problem....

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Gastroenterology and Hepatology Workplace

The workplace

In the most recent AMWAC survey of the gastroenterology workforce, specialists reported that they spent the majority of their time in outpatient consultations, followed by endoscopic and other procedures, then hospital ward rounds. Gastroenterologists often liaise with other inpatient units... more

The doctor-patient relationship

Gastroenterologists spend a large amount of time on direct patient care, and relationships with patients may vary from very short term (e. performing an endoscopic procedure for a referring inpatient unit) to long-term care (e.g patient with inflammatory bowel disease,... more

Intellectual content

A broad knowledge of gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology is required. Aspects of microbiology, oncology, nutrition and immunology are frequently encountered. Psychosocial aspects of substance abuse and functional illnesses are also relevant to gastroenterology practice. Thus although procedural skills are... more

Lifestyle and Practice Options

Gastroenterology is a demanding specialty, and many of these specialists work long hours. In the most recent AMWAC survey, about 40% of specialists felt that they were overworked. However, a large majority of specialists were satisfied with their work overall.... more

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