Latest news with #GastroHealth
Medscape
19-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Winning Strategies to Retain Private Practice GIs
SAN DIEGO — With the recently updated recommendations by the US Preventive Services Task Force lowering the age for colorectal cancer screening to 45 instead of 50, an additional 19 million patients now require screening, Asma Khapra, MD, a gastroenterologist at Gastro Health in Fairfax, Virginia, told attendees at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025. That change, coupled with the expected shortage of gastroenterologists, means one thing: The current workforce can't meet patient demand, she said. Private practices in particular face challenges in retaining gastroenterologists, Khapra added. The private practice model is already declining, she said. The fraction of US gastroenterologists in 'fully independent' private practice was about 30% in 2019, Khapra noted. Then, 'COVID really changed the landscape even more.' By 2022, 'that number has shrunk to 13%.' Meanwhile, 67% are employed gastroenterologists (not in private practice), 7% work in large group practices, and 13% are private equity (PE) backed. That makes effective retention strategies crucial for private practices, Khapra said. She first addressed the common attractions of private practices, then the challenges, and finally the winning strategies to retain and keep a viable private practice gastroenterology workforce. The Attractions of Private Practice The reasons for choosing private practice are many, Khapra said, including: Autonomy, Flexibility, Competitive compensation, Ownership mindset, Partnership paths, and Work-life balance including involvement in community and culture. On the other hand, private practices have unique challenges, including: Administrative burdens such as EHR documentation, paperwork, prior authorizations, and staffing issues, Financial pressures, including competition with the employment packages offered by hospitals, as reimbursements continue to drop and staffing costs increase, Burnout, Variety of buy-ins and partnership tracks, Limited career development, and The strains of aging and endoscopy. 'We used to joke in our practice that at any given time, three staff members are in physical therapy due to injuries and disabilities.' Employing the Iceberg Model One strategy, Khapra said, is to follow Edward T. Hall's Iceberg Model of Culture , which focuses on the importance of both visible and invisible elements. 'The key to retention in private practice is to develop a value system where everyone is treated well and respected and compensated fairly,' she said. 'That doesn't mean you split the pie [equally].' 'Visible' elements of the model include the physical environment, policies and practices, symbols and behaviors, she said. While under the surface ('invisible' elements) are shared values, perceptions and attitudes, leadership style, conflict resolution, decision making and unwritten rules. The key, she said, is to provide physicians an actual voice in decision making and to avoid favouritism, thus avoiding comments such as 'Why do the same two people always get the prime scoping blocks?' Financial transparency is also important, Khapra said. And people want flexibility without it being called special treatment. She provided several practical suggestions to accomplish the invisible Iceberg goals. For instance, she suggested paying for activities outside the practice that physicians do, such as serving on committees. If the practice can't afford that, she suggested asking the affiliated hospitals to do so, noting that such an initiative can often build community support. Paying more attention to early associates than is typical can also benefit the practice, Khapra said. 'So much effort is made to recruit them, and then once there, we're on to the next [recruits].' Instead, she suggested, 'pay attention to their needs.' Providing support to physicians who are injured is also crucial and can foster a community culture, she said. For example, one Gastro Health physician was out for 4 weeks due to complications from surgery. 'Everyone jumped in' to help fill the injured physician's shifts, she said, reassuring the physician that the money would be figured out later. 'That's the culture you want to instill.' To prevent burnout, another key to retaining physicians, 'you have to provide support staff.' And offering good benefits, including parental and maternal leave and disability benefits, is also crucial, Khapra said. Consider practices such as having social dinners, another way to build a sense of community. Finally, bring in national and local gastroenterologist organizations for discussions, including advocating for fair reimbursement for private practice. Consider working with the Digestive Health Physicians Alliance, which describes itself as the voice of independent gastroenterology, she suggested. More Perspectives Jami Kinnucan, MD, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville , Florida, spoke about optimizing recruitment of young gastroenterologists and provided perspective on Khapra's talk. 'I think there's a lot of overlap' with her topic and retaining private practice gastroenterologists, she said in an interview with Medscape Medical News. Most important, she said, is having an efficient system in which the administrative flow is left to digital tools or other staff, not physicians. 'That will also help to reduce burnout,' she said, and allow physicians to do what they most want to do, which is to focus on providing care to patients. 'People want to feel valued for their work,' she agreed. 'People want opportunity for career development, opportunities for growth.' As gastroenterologists age, flexibility is important, as it in in general for all physicians, Kinnucan said. She suggested schedule flexibility as one way. For instance, 'if I tell 10 providers, 'I need you to see 100 patients this week, but you can do it however you want,' that promotes flexibility. They might want to see all of them on Monday and Tuesday, for instance. If you give people choice and autonomy, they are more likely to feel like they are part of the decision.' How do you build a high-functioning team? 'You do it by letting them operate autonomously,' and 'you let people do the things they are really excited about.' And always, as Khapra said, focus on the invisible elements that are so crucial.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I'm a Gastroenterologist, and This Is My Go-To Order When I Eat Out
When you cook at home, you have complete control over the ingredients. You can make your meal as nutrient-rich as you want and avoid anything you know won't sit well with you. When you eat out, knowing exactly what's in your food is a bit tricker. Often, the meal choices aren't as healthy as they may be if you were to make a similar dish at home—and that's on top of the oversized portions. How can you keep your gut happy while enjoying a nice meal out? As gastroenterologists share here, there are some helpful guidelines to keep in mind, which can make figuring out what to order easier. After all, eating to support your gut health benefits the entire body. Keep reading to see what G.I. docs order when they eat out—great examples of meals that support gut health and are super delicious. 🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 Does eating with gut health in mind mean being limited to the salad options? Absolutely not. Dr. Gina Wideroff, MD, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Jupiter, Florida, says that when she eats out, she eyes the menu for foods high in fiber, unsaturated fats, probiotics and protein. 'I opt for plant-based proteins, poultry or fish and I consume lean cuts of unprocessed red meat in moderation,' she terms of foods she avoids when she eats out, Dr. Wideroff says she steers clear of ultra-processed foods that contain emulsifiers, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and refined sugars. She also skips processed meats since they are associated with a higher risk of colon cancer. No Reubens, hot dogs or BLTs for her! Related: 'I try to make food choices that are gut-friendly with diverse plant foods, healthy fats, fermented ingredients and whole grains. These foods enhance the gut microbiome—the trillions of microscopic organisms living in the intestines—that can affect digestive and overall health,' Dr. Wideroff says. Dr. Rohan Jeyarajah, MD,the Chair of Surgery at Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University and a gastrointestinal health specialist, says that when he eats out, he scours the menu for an entree that balances protein, vegetables and carbohydrates. Anything fried is ruled out. There's a good reason for that too: Scientific research shows that fried foods kill the good bacteria in the gut. Related: These guidelines are helpful, but you may still be wondering what it looks like to put them into practice. What are examples of meals you can order that are good for gut health? 'I enjoy Mediterranean-style grain bowls with a protein like grilled chicken or falafel, plenty of vegetables, quinoa and hummus,' Dr. Wideroff says. If Dr. Wideroff sees fish on the menu, it's another option she'll consider. 'I might order the fresh catch, blackened, with a side of vegetables,' she says. If she's at a Mexican restaurant, Dr. Wideroff says she'll order a burrito bowl with grilled chicken, vegetables and avocado. 'I usually ask for a reduced portion of rice,' she adds. Related: When Dr. Jeyarajah gets to pick the restaurant for a meal out, he goes for Thai, explaining, 'I love spice, so Thai cuisine is one of my favorites." At Thai restaurants, it's easy to find menu options with lots of veggies and plant-based protein, like tofu, that are full of gut-healthy fiber. Besides Thai, Dr. Jeyarajah enjoys a lean steak paired with a vegetable when he's eating out. 'By eating leaner protein and not too much fat, you can feel less bloated and sleep [better] without having too many carbs before going to bed,' he shares. No matter what type of restaurant you're at, if you want to eat with gut health in mind, Dr. Wideroff says to choose an entree that's high in fiber and unsaturated fats and made with minimally processed ingredients. If you can customize your meal, she recommends taking advantage of it. 'Customize a dish, such as swapping fries for a salad. If choosing a salad, ask for dressing on the side and avoid heavy cream sauces,' she suggests. Both doctors also say that it's important to be mindful of portion size. 'Consider splitting a meal or making a point to take home leftovers,' Dr. Wideroff says. While you're eating, Dr. Jeyarajah recommends consistently checking in with yourself by periodically stopping to eat to see if you're still hungry. Often, fullness cues are ignored, leading to that uncomfortable, too-full feeling. With these tips in mind, you can have a delicious meal and know that you're supporting your gut health in the process. Talk about a winning meal! Up Next:Dr. Gina Wideroff, MD, gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Jupiter, Florida Dr. Rohan Jeyarajah, MD, Chair of Surgery at Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University and a gastrointestinal health specialist
Buzz Feed
19-02-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Here's What You Should Know If You Drink Ginger Ale To Settle Your Stomach
If you had an upset stomach when you were a kid, there was one home remedy that parents, grandparents and other caregivers seemed to recommend time and time again: ginger ale. In fact, I was still turning to ginger ale for its supposed stomach-soothing properties well into adulthood, including when I was dealing with morning sickness while pregnant with my son. But does ginger ale actually have health benefits? Or is it a myth that many of us have been buying into for way too long? We talked to dietitians and a gastroenterologist to set the record straight. Here's how the whole thing started. Ginger ale likely became known as a stomach settler due to its association with ginger. Since ancient times, ginger root has been used as an herbal remedy to treat different gastrointestinal ailments, including nausea, diarrhea and indigestion. And there are some studies to back this up. 'Ginger root contains a special compound called gingerol that has been shown to support gastrointestinal motility, or the rate that food moves through the digestive tract,' explained Stefani Sassos, a registered dietitian and the nutrition and fitness director for the Good Housekeeping Institute. 'This can provide nausea relief for a variety of conditions, essentially because it encourages food to not linger as long in the digestive tract.' But it's important to note that these benefits are specifically associated with actual ginger root — not just the ginger flavoring found in many sodas. 'Most commercial ginger ale contains very little to no actual ginger,' Sassos said. In recent years, false advertising lawsuits have been filed against the company that makes Canada Dry ginger ale in the U.S. and Canada over claims that the product is 'made from real ginger,' as it states on the packaging. These claims 'deceive and mislead reasonable customers into believing that [Canada Dry is] made using ginger root — i.e. the spice made by chopping or powdering the root of the ginger plant — and not minuscule amounts of flavoring 'extracts,'' one of the lawsuits alleged, as reported by the National Post. The class action suits in both countries have since been settled. As part of the U.S. settlement, the company agreed to remove the words 'made from real ginger' from its marketing in the future. However, the product is still marketed this way in Canada. Ginger ale could actually do more harm than good. Gastroenterologist Dr. Lukasz Kwapisz, of Gastro Health in Miami, explained that the high sugar content in ginger ale and other sodas — usually upward of 30 grams per serving — can actually make stomach troubles worse. 'Too much sugar could trigger inflammation and may increase bloating and gas, which could further irritate an upset stomach,' he told HuffPost. What about diet ginger ale? Sassos doesn't recommend it for an upset stomach, because the sugar alcohols used to sweeten some of these products 'may only further exacerbate symptoms.' For some people, the carbonation in ginger ale and other fizzy beverages may help ease their gastrointestinal distress, Sassos said, while other people may find that it makes things worse. So it really depends on how your body responds. Registered dietitian Maya Feller of Maya Feller Nutrition in Brooklyn, New York, pointed out that even though it has the word 'ginger' in its name, ginger ale is not a 'health food beverage.' 'If you're looking for a therapeutic property from it, it might most likely be placebo,' Feller said. 'And that's fine, because you're feeling better, right? At the end of the day, it is soda. And so I would encourage folks to interact with this the way that they would interact with soda.' When you're looking to ease stomach discomfort, consider skipping the soda aisle in favor of the produce section, where you can pick up some fresh ginger, Kwapisz suggested. 'Minced, ground, peeled or sliced in hot water, or even in capsules — 250 to 500 mg of powdered ginger,' he told HuffPost. 'Any of these would give the greatest benefit to settling an upset stomach.' Sassos, too, recommends trying fresh ginger. Add a peeled knob or a few slices to a mug with boiling water and let it steep for five to 10 minutes, she said. Feller recommends ginger, fennel and chamomile teas if you're in need of some relief. For some of her patients dealing with medication-induced nausea, she has found eating saltine crackers and other carbohydrates to be helpful. And for pregnant folks dealing with hormone-induced nausea, tart-sucking candies like Preggie Pops — which come in sour fruit and ginger flavors — can be a great option, she said.
