Impacting Underserved Communities as a GI Trainee

Dig Dis Sci. 2020 Jun;65(6):1596-1598. doi: 10.1007/s10620-020-06237-y.

Abstract

Gastroenterology fellowship programs commonly include VA and county hospitals whose patient populations consist of some of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the country who have a multitude of socioeconomic hurdles that limit their ability to address ongoing medical issues, all while having a restricted political voice and receiving care in under-resourced clinical settings. Since trainees are integral to the care of these patients, they have available two approaches that can affect community and hospital-based change, namely quality improvement (QI) and healthcare advocacy. QI projects focused on optimizing colorectal cancer screening, and Helicobacter pylori testing/eradication can provide value at an institutional level. Healthcare advocacy can be approached through involvement in national gastroenterological associations or locally through means such as establishing a fellowship-based advocacy group similar to a journal club. Both routes enable trainees to positively impact underserved communities.

MeSH terms

  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Gastroenterology / education*
  • Health Promotion
  • Helicobacter Infections / diagnosis
  • Helicobacter pylori / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Medically Underserved Area*
  • Training Support*