Gastroenterology curriculum standards

Knowledge guide

LG 12: Scientific foundations of gastroenterology

Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical sciences

Advanced Trainees will have in-depth knowledge of the topics listed under each clinical sciences heading.

For the statistical and epidemiological concepts listed, trainees should be able to describe the underlying rationale, the indications for using one test or method over another, and the calculations required to generate descriptive statistics.

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Investigations, procedures, and clinical assessment tools

Advanced Trainees will know the scientific foundation of each investigation and procedure, including relevant anatomy and physiology. They will be able to interpret the reported results of each investigation or procedure.

Advanced Trainees will know how to explain the investigation or procedure to patients, families, and carers, and be able to explain procedural risk and obtain informed consent where applicable.

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Important specific issues

Advanced Trainees will identify important specialty-specific issues and the impact of these on diagnosis, management, and outcomes.

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Anatomical changes and physiological effects of surgery/endoscopy, including:
- hepatopancreatobiliary
- lower gastrointestinal
- upper gastrointestinal
Anatomy, including embryology of the gastrointestinal tract
Causes and management of gastrointestinal neoplasia
Normal and abnormal histopathology of the gastrointestinal tract
Normal and abnormal physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, including processes underlying digestion, absorption, and metabolism
Principles of genetics, including molecular markers of gastrointestinal disease
Principles of health economics (e.g. screening)
Principles of nutrition (see KG10)
Principles of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy
Principles of public health (e.g. bowel cancer, fatty liver, viral hepatitis)

PCH

Development of the gastrointestinal system
Common embryological and congenital defects/disorders of the gastrointestinal system (e.g. biliary atresia, TOF/OA)

Anorectal physiology studies
Capsule endoscopy
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Endoscopic ultrasound
Enteroscopy
Gastrointestinal radiology:
- diagnostic, including intestinal ultrasound
- interventional
Liver stiffness measurement
Nuclear medicine studies
Oesophageal physiology studies
Principles of gastrointestinal endoscopy:
- electrosurgery and safety
- indications for endoscopic procedures
- lower gastrointestinal endoscopy
- risks and complications of gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures
- therapeutic endoscopy
- understanding of endoscopic equipment and its use, including image enhancement and analysis and artificial intelligence software
- upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
Recognition of pathology (macro and micro)

General management considerations

Goals of therapy
Impact of comorbidities on diagnosis and management
Individual patients’ clinical indications to determine patients’ needs, and the most appropriate approach to investigations and care
Patient demographics, including geographical location, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or cultural background, and the considerations when managing and following up these patients (e.g. travel from rural to metropolitan areas)
Psychosocial aspects of gastrointestinal disorders
The timing of decisions and risks for individual patients