Gastroenterologist Career Profile: How to Become a GI and What GI Physicians Do

Overview:

Gastroenterologists specialize in treatment of chronic or acute conditions of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and colon. Also, most gastroenterologists also practice some hepatology, which is the treatment of liver disease and maladies.

Training, Education, and Certification:

Gastroenterology is a subspecialty of Internal Medicine. A gastroenterologist has completed all of the same training as an internist, (4 years undergraduate, 4 years medical school, and 3 years of residency) plus 2 years of fellowship in Gastroenterology. Most gastroenterologists are board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and the American College of Gastroenterology, although board-certification is not absolutely required to practice.

As all physicians do, GIs must hold an active state medical license in the state where they practidce, and pass the USMLE in order to legally practice medicine.

Compensation for Gastroenterologists:

Most gastroenterologists are owners or partners in their own practice, although some are employed by a hospital or group. As with most physicians, the higher the volume of patient visits and procedures performed translates into higher earnings, in general. According to the Medical Group Management Association, (MGMA) the average compensation for a gastroenterologist is $461,254 annually, based on 2007 data for the year of 2006, the most recent figures available. Those physicians earning in the 90th percentile can earn just over $700,000.

Procedures & Patients :

Gastroenterologists treat a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

• ulcers
• acid reflux, GERD, heartburn
• irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohns, and Colitis
• celiac disease
• hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other liver diseases
• colon cancer

Gastroenterologists perform a variety of scopes, called endoscopies, of the upper and lower digestive tract. Some of these scopes help to identify, or diagnose the problem, while other scopes are done to remove polyps or remove a defective portion of the digestive tract to repair a problem. Endoscopy involves inserting a long, flexible tube into the digestive tract. The tube has a tiny camera at the tip which allows the physician to see the insides of the patient’s digestive organs and treat any issues accordingly.

What's to Like:

Many gastroenterologists like the field because of the combination it offers of treating patients in an office, and performing procedures. Physicians who are torn between medical and surgical specialties often settle on gastroenterology, where they can treat patients in an office with medication and dietary changes, or perform a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a hospital, surgical center, or endoscopy suite. Additionally, the compensation is definitely competitive, which is encouraging.

What's Not to Like:

Personally, I think that working with people's backsides all day would grow tiresome. But I've never heard a gastroenterologist complain about that - I guess they get over it in medical school. Typically, gastroenterologists deal with the same issues as physicians of other specialties, such as declining reimbursements, due to managed care, and the long hours required as a physician.

More Information:

• Interview with a Gastroenterologist: Dr. Michael Cohen provides an excellent in depth look into the life of an experienced, successful physician in the field of gastroenterology.
• American College of Gastroenterology
• American Gastroenterological Association