gastroendonews.com
The Independent Monthly Newspaper for Gastroenterologists
Volume 65, Number 1 • January 2014
The Lowdown on Burnout in Medicine
ACG 2013
ACG Abuzz With FMT
Resolutions ns for Mitigating Stress and Avoiding Burnout in 2014
BY DAVID WILD BY MONICA J. SMITH SAN DIEGO—A swath of studies presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting demonstrated the possible spectrum of indications for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The new data show promise for FMT in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and also demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the procedure in see FMT, page 26
New Oral HCV Drugs Show Lasting Efficacy BY DAVID WILD SAN DIEGO—Several novel treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection lead to durable sustained virologic responses (SVR), researchers told attendees of American College of Gastroenterology 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting. Investigators presented updated see HCV, page 23
SAN DIEGO— —T The preparation for a talk on avoiiding burnout and finding ballance took gastroenterologisst Christina Surawicz, MD, outside her comfort zone, but it gave herr time to reflect on herr own experience, whaat she sees in her peerrs and younger colleagues, and how doctors can help themselvees and each other establiish more manageable and rewarding work–life pattern ns. “I am not an expert on burnout, but I cllearly have experienced it, althoough I don’t think I recognized it at the time,” said Dr. Surawicz, a faculty member at the University of Washington School of M Medicine, di i iin S Seattle, ttl who h iis b based d att Harborview Medical Center.
‘Disclose-and-Investigate’ Approach To Malpractice Claims Pays Off
“The two maiin contributing factors were feeling that I d didn’t have any controol and that I didn’tt have any supporrt at work.”
‘Burrnout’ Deffined The term T “bu urnout” was coin ned by psychologistt Herbert Freudenb berger to describe the consequences of a combination of high ideals and severe stress, Dr. Surawicz told her coolleagues in a presentation at tthe American College of Gastrooenterology (ACG) 2013 Annual Scientifi fic Meeting. “A typical example is doctors and nurses n who may sacrifice ifi th themselves l ffor others, th and d often f end up see Burnout, page 32
I N S I D E EXPERTS’ PICKS Best of the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting: Part 2 .............................................................. page 19
BY TED BOSWORTH ORLANDO, FLA.—The gastroenterology division of a large institution that changed its approach to malpractice claims benefited enormously, according to a study that compared claims filed before and after the policy change. The comparison showed a reduction in the number of claims, a reduction in the costs per claim, a reduction in total costs for defending claims, and a reduction in the time see Malpractice Claims, page 36
Frank G. Gress, MD
Franklin Kasmin, MD
CLINICAL REVIEW see insert after page 48
The Heterogeneity of Cancer Offers Targeted Therapy Opportunities see pages 8-9
Approach to Hemorrhoids: A Primer for Gastroenterologists By Harry Sarles Jr., MD
Prateek Sharma, MD