Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

 

Dear Colleagues,

In this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, the feature article examines recent advances in the field of cholangiopancreatoscopy. In this article, William Sonnier, Meir Mizrahi (University of South Alabama), and Douglas Pleskow (Beth Israel Deaconess) provide a fantastic overview of the technologic advances in the field of cholangiopancreatoscopy as well as the clinical indications for this procedure and the risks involved. Also in this issue, Deborah Fisher (Duke University) and Darrell Gray (Ohio State University) provide advice about how to appropriately and responsibly handle social media. This is an incredibly important topic, given the increasing pervasiveness of social media in many aspects of our personal and professional lives.

Additionally, Madelin Siedler (AGA) and Yngve Falck-Ytter (Case-Western) demystify the process by which AGA guidelines are developed by outlining the workflow from inception to final publication. Also, Yamini Natarajan, Richa Shukla, and Jordan Shapiro (Baylor College of Medicine) provide an update about a recent meeting with their local representative, Gene Green (Texas’s 29th congressional district), who is the Ranking Member for the Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health.

Finally, in this issue is the second part in a series on legal issues for gastroenterologists. In this article, which is again authored by a very experienced group of attorneys, many important issues are covered, including what steps should be taken if you are sued, what you should and should not do after being sued, as well as tips on how to best prepare for both deposition and trial.

If there are topics that you would be interested in writing or hearing about in The New Gastroenterologist, please let us know. You can contact me (bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu) or the Managing Editor of The New Gastroenterologist, Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org).
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor in Chief

Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Dear Colleagues,

In this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, the feature article examines recent advances in the field of cholangiopancreatoscopy. In this article, William Sonnier, Meir Mizrahi (University of South Alabama), and Douglas Pleskow (Beth Israel Deaconess) provide a fantastic overview of the technologic advances in the field of cholangiopancreatoscopy as well as the clinical indications for this procedure and the risks involved. Also in this issue, Deborah Fisher (Duke University) and Darrell Gray (Ohio State University) provide advice about how to appropriately and responsibly handle social media. This is an incredibly important topic, given the increasing pervasiveness of social media in many aspects of our personal and professional lives.

Additionally, Madelin Siedler (AGA) and Yngve Falck-Ytter (Case-Western) demystify the process by which AGA guidelines are developed by outlining the workflow from inception to final publication. Also, Yamini Natarajan, Richa Shukla, and Jordan Shapiro (Baylor College of Medicine) provide an update about a recent meeting with their local representative, Gene Green (Texas’s 29th congressional district), who is the Ranking Member for the Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health.

Finally, in this issue is the second part in a series on legal issues for gastroenterologists. In this article, which is again authored by a very experienced group of attorneys, many important issues are covered, including what steps should be taken if you are sued, what you should and should not do after being sued, as well as tips on how to best prepare for both deposition and trial.

If there are topics that you would be interested in writing or hearing about in The New Gastroenterologist, please let us know. You can contact me (bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu) or the Managing Editor of The New Gastroenterologist, Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org).
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor in Chief

Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Dear Colleagues,

In this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, the feature article examines recent advances in the field of cholangiopancreatoscopy. In this article, William Sonnier, Meir Mizrahi (University of South Alabama), and Douglas Pleskow (Beth Israel Deaconess) provide a fantastic overview of the technologic advances in the field of cholangiopancreatoscopy as well as the clinical indications for this procedure and the risks involved. Also in this issue, Deborah Fisher (Duke University) and Darrell Gray (Ohio State University) provide advice about how to appropriately and responsibly handle social media. This is an incredibly important topic, given the increasing pervasiveness of social media in many aspects of our personal and professional lives.

Additionally, Madelin Siedler (AGA) and Yngve Falck-Ytter (Case-Western) demystify the process by which AGA guidelines are developed by outlining the workflow from inception to final publication. Also, Yamini Natarajan, Richa Shukla, and Jordan Shapiro (Baylor College of Medicine) provide an update about a recent meeting with their local representative, Gene Green (Texas’s 29th congressional district), who is the Ranking Member for the Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health.

Finally, in this issue is the second part in a series on legal issues for gastroenterologists. In this article, which is again authored by a very experienced group of attorneys, many important issues are covered, including what steps should be taken if you are sued, what you should and should not do after being sued, as well as tips on how to best prepare for both deposition and trial.

If there are topics that you would be interested in writing or hearing about in The New Gastroenterologist, please let us know. You can contact me (bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu) or the Managing Editor of The New Gastroenterologist, Ryan Farrell (rfarrell@gastro.org).
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor in Chief

Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Dear Colleagues,

Congratulations to the new gastroenterology fellows who have just begun their fellowships and also to those who have just finished and are starting their careers. It is certainly an exciting time of year for so many! A letter from AGA President Sheila Crowe, included in this issue, details the benefits and opportunities our organization offers GIs entering practice and academia.

In this issue’s feature article, Amit Patel (Duke University) and Prakash Gyawali (Washington University in St. Louis) provide a fantastic overview of ambulatory reflux testing. They outline the basics of the different methods of reflux testing, discuss whether testing should be done on or off PPI therapy, and provide useful tips for patient management.

This issue also contains an informative perspective about pursuing a career in medical education by Suzanne Rose (University of Connecticut), an incredibly passionate educator who has dedicated her career to this endeavor. Additionally, Katherine Garman (Duke University) and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut/Yale University) provide a recap of this year’s AGA Women’s Leadership conference, which brought together a large group of early-career and experienced women from many different career pathways within the field of gastroenterology.

As student loans are an issue for many, Common Bond, the AGA’s official student loan partner, highlights an early-career gastroenterologist’s experience with student loans, as well as important factors in refinancing and paying off student loans. Finally, in the first of a two-part series on medical malpractice, an experienced group of attorneys from Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC (Philadelphia) provide a concise overview of the basics of malpractice as well as tips to help minimize your risk of being sued.

I hope that you enjoy this issue of The New Gastroenterologist. For those in the early-career group on the AGA Community (http://community.gastro.org/), these articles will be posted to the library to further enhance access. You can also find The New Gastroenterologist online and via the free app. If you have ideas for future issues or would be interested in contributing, please e-mail either me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or Managing Editor Ryan Farrell at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor in Chief

Dr. Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Dear Colleagues,

Congratulations to the new gastroenterology fellows who have just begun their fellowships and also to those who have just finished and are starting their careers. It is certainly an exciting time of year for so many! A letter from AGA President Sheila Crowe, included in this issue, details the benefits and opportunities our organization offers GIs entering practice and academia.

In this issue’s feature article, Amit Patel (Duke University) and Prakash Gyawali (Washington University in St. Louis) provide a fantastic overview of ambulatory reflux testing. They outline the basics of the different methods of reflux testing, discuss whether testing should be done on or off PPI therapy, and provide useful tips for patient management.

This issue also contains an informative perspective about pursuing a career in medical education by Suzanne Rose (University of Connecticut), an incredibly passionate educator who has dedicated her career to this endeavor. Additionally, Katherine Garman (Duke University) and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut/Yale University) provide a recap of this year’s AGA Women’s Leadership conference, which brought together a large group of early-career and experienced women from many different career pathways within the field of gastroenterology.

As student loans are an issue for many, Common Bond, the AGA’s official student loan partner, highlights an early-career gastroenterologist’s experience with student loans, as well as important factors in refinancing and paying off student loans. Finally, in the first of a two-part series on medical malpractice, an experienced group of attorneys from Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC (Philadelphia) provide a concise overview of the basics of malpractice as well as tips to help minimize your risk of being sued.

I hope that you enjoy this issue of The New Gastroenterologist. For those in the early-career group on the AGA Community (http://community.gastro.org/), these articles will be posted to the library to further enhance access. You can also find The New Gastroenterologist online and via the free app. If you have ideas for future issues or would be interested in contributing, please e-mail either me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or Managing Editor Ryan Farrell at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor in Chief

Dr. Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Dear Colleagues,

Congratulations to the new gastroenterology fellows who have just begun their fellowships and also to those who have just finished and are starting their careers. It is certainly an exciting time of year for so many! A letter from AGA President Sheila Crowe, included in this issue, details the benefits and opportunities our organization offers GIs entering practice and academia.

In this issue’s feature article, Amit Patel (Duke University) and Prakash Gyawali (Washington University in St. Louis) provide a fantastic overview of ambulatory reflux testing. They outline the basics of the different methods of reflux testing, discuss whether testing should be done on or off PPI therapy, and provide useful tips for patient management.

This issue also contains an informative perspective about pursuing a career in medical education by Suzanne Rose (University of Connecticut), an incredibly passionate educator who has dedicated her career to this endeavor. Additionally, Katherine Garman (Duke University) and Latha Alaparthi (Gastroenterology Center of Connecticut/Yale University) provide a recap of this year’s AGA Women’s Leadership conference, which brought together a large group of early-career and experienced women from many different career pathways within the field of gastroenterology.

As student loans are an issue for many, Common Bond, the AGA’s official student loan partner, highlights an early-career gastroenterologist’s experience with student loans, as well as important factors in refinancing and paying off student loans. Finally, in the first of a two-part series on medical malpractice, an experienced group of attorneys from Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC (Philadelphia) provide a concise overview of the basics of malpractice as well as tips to help minimize your risk of being sued.

I hope that you enjoy this issue of The New Gastroenterologist. For those in the early-career group on the AGA Community (http://community.gastro.org/), these articles will be posted to the library to further enhance access. You can also find The New Gastroenterologist online and via the free app. If you have ideas for future issues or would be interested in contributing, please e-mail either me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or Managing Editor Ryan Farrell at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor in Chief

Dr. Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is becoming an increasingly important part of GI practice and it is certainly an exciting time to be involved in the field. While new IBD therapeutics often get most of the attention, there are many other issues surrounding IBD care that are important for all of us. This special IBD-themed issue of The New Gastroenterologist provides expert opinions addressing some of these other, important issues that are critical to both the care of IBD patients and the development of an effective IBD practice.

First, as health maintenance should always be part of routine IBD care, Karen Chachu (Duke University) provides an overview of the pertinent health maintenance issues to consider when caring for IBD patients. Another hot topic in the field is drug-level monitoring which has become an increasingly important tool when deciding whether to adjust or change IBD therapies. Konstantinos Papamichael and Adam Cheifetz (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) provide an overview of the basics of drug-level monitoring for both anti-TNFs as well as thiopurines which contains useful algorithms that will help guide the process of making these treatment decisions.

In this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, we also have several articles that will be very helpful to those who either have or are developing a practice with a significant IBD focus. First, Douglas Wolf (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) discusses the steps necessary to build a successful IBD practice, and, additionally, Nitin Gupta (University of Mississippi Medical Center) provides some useful tips to help physicians start collaborations with industry.

As MACRA looms over us all, it is only a matter of time before we will all have to firmly understand its intricacies. The implementation of MACRA and MIPS will undoubtedly affect quality measures in IBD and to help all of us understand the complexities of this issue, Ryan McConnell and Fernando Velayos (University of California, San Francisco) provide an overview of quality measures in IBD. Finally, although treatment, monitoring, and quality are all important in the care of IBD patients, so also are the relationships that we develop with our IBD patients. To give us input on this topic from a patient perspective, a group of IBD patients from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America address what we as physicians can do to enhance our doctor-patient relationships.

If you want to read The New Gastroenterologist “on the go,” please download our free app, or read our electronic version on www.mdedge.com/gihepnews or www.gastro.org. Additionally, if you have other topics you would be interested in reading about, or if you are interested in contributing to future issues, please e-mail me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or The New Gastroenterologist’s managing editor Ryan Farrell at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor-In-Chief

Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is becoming an increasingly important part of GI practice and it is certainly an exciting time to be involved in the field. While new IBD therapeutics often get most of the attention, there are many other issues surrounding IBD care that are important for all of us. This special IBD-themed issue of The New Gastroenterologist provides expert opinions addressing some of these other, important issues that are critical to both the care of IBD patients and the development of an effective IBD practice.

First, as health maintenance should always be part of routine IBD care, Karen Chachu (Duke University) provides an overview of the pertinent health maintenance issues to consider when caring for IBD patients. Another hot topic in the field is drug-level monitoring which has become an increasingly important tool when deciding whether to adjust or change IBD therapies. Konstantinos Papamichael and Adam Cheifetz (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) provide an overview of the basics of drug-level monitoring for both anti-TNFs as well as thiopurines which contains useful algorithms that will help guide the process of making these treatment decisions.

In this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, we also have several articles that will be very helpful to those who either have or are developing a practice with a significant IBD focus. First, Douglas Wolf (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) discusses the steps necessary to build a successful IBD practice, and, additionally, Nitin Gupta (University of Mississippi Medical Center) provides some useful tips to help physicians start collaborations with industry.

As MACRA looms over us all, it is only a matter of time before we will all have to firmly understand its intricacies. The implementation of MACRA and MIPS will undoubtedly affect quality measures in IBD and to help all of us understand the complexities of this issue, Ryan McConnell and Fernando Velayos (University of California, San Francisco) provide an overview of quality measures in IBD. Finally, although treatment, monitoring, and quality are all important in the care of IBD patients, so also are the relationships that we develop with our IBD patients. To give us input on this topic from a patient perspective, a group of IBD patients from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America address what we as physicians can do to enhance our doctor-patient relationships.

If you want to read The New Gastroenterologist “on the go,” please download our free app, or read our electronic version on www.mdedge.com/gihepnews or www.gastro.org. Additionally, if you have other topics you would be interested in reading about, or if you are interested in contributing to future issues, please e-mail me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or The New Gastroenterologist’s managing editor Ryan Farrell at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor-In-Chief

Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is becoming an increasingly important part of GI practice and it is certainly an exciting time to be involved in the field. While new IBD therapeutics often get most of the attention, there are many other issues surrounding IBD care that are important for all of us. This special IBD-themed issue of The New Gastroenterologist provides expert opinions addressing some of these other, important issues that are critical to both the care of IBD patients and the development of an effective IBD practice.

First, as health maintenance should always be part of routine IBD care, Karen Chachu (Duke University) provides an overview of the pertinent health maintenance issues to consider when caring for IBD patients. Another hot topic in the field is drug-level monitoring which has become an increasingly important tool when deciding whether to adjust or change IBD therapies. Konstantinos Papamichael and Adam Cheifetz (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) provide an overview of the basics of drug-level monitoring for both anti-TNFs as well as thiopurines which contains useful algorithms that will help guide the process of making these treatment decisions.

In this issue of The New Gastroenterologist, we also have several articles that will be very helpful to those who either have or are developing a practice with a significant IBD focus. First, Douglas Wolf (Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates) discusses the steps necessary to build a successful IBD practice, and, additionally, Nitin Gupta (University of Mississippi Medical Center) provides some useful tips to help physicians start collaborations with industry.

As MACRA looms over us all, it is only a matter of time before we will all have to firmly understand its intricacies. The implementation of MACRA and MIPS will undoubtedly affect quality measures in IBD and to help all of us understand the complexities of this issue, Ryan McConnell and Fernando Velayos (University of California, San Francisco) provide an overview of quality measures in IBD. Finally, although treatment, monitoring, and quality are all important in the care of IBD patients, so also are the relationships that we develop with our IBD patients. To give us input on this topic from a patient perspective, a group of IBD patients from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America address what we as physicians can do to enhance our doctor-patient relationships.

If you want to read The New Gastroenterologist “on the go,” please download our free app, or read our electronic version on www.mdedge.com/gihepnews or www.gastro.org. Additionally, if you have other topics you would be interested in reading about, or if you are interested in contributing to future issues, please e-mail me at bryson.katona@uphs.upenn.edu or The New Gastroenterologist’s managing editor Ryan Farrell at rfarrell@gastro.org.
 

Sincerely,

Bryson W. Katona, MD, PhD

Editor-In-Chief

Bryson W. Katona is an instructor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at the University of Pennsylvania