While gastroenterologists, like many medical specialists, face daily frustrations, including low budgets, insufficient staffing and insurance fights, there are many perks to the job as well.
Gastroenterology offers an ever-changing environment that keeps physicians on their toes as new technologies emerge.
Gastroenterologist Linda Lee, MD, medical director of endoscopy at Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital and associate professor of medicine at Boston's Harvard Medical School, told Becker's that she could not imagine working in any other specialty.
Dr. Lee: As trite as this may sound, I am fortunate and blessed to work in a field that I truly enjoy and can help people on a daily basis. Having experienced being unable to scope for a while, it was a true joy when I finally was able to return and complete a full day of procedures. Feeling the scope as an extension of my hand and being able to explain the procedures and results to patients has been a privilege. Not to mention the fun of being in a field where new tools and techniques keep one constantly engaged and learning.
Of course there are frustrations, whether it's dealing with administrative bloat, tone deaf insurance companies, inefficient units, endless clicking through electronic medical records, insufficient staff and support, restricted budgets, etc. Thankfully, the core mission of making a patient's life a little brighter using the gifts I have been given remains.