News from AGA

AGA and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation are partnering to cosponsor a new annual conference for health care professionals and researchers. By joining the nation’s leading IBD patient organization with the premier GI professional organization, this will be the must-attend IBD conference, bringing state-of-the-art comprehensive care together with the latest research to advance prevention, treatment, and cures for IBD patients.

Save the date – Jan. 18-20, 2018, in Las Vegas. Get ready to expand your knowledge, network with other leaders, and be inspired! Stay tuned for our website launch and more details coming this spring.

AGA and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation are partnering to cosponsor a new annual conference for health care professionals and researchers. By joining the nation’s leading IBD patient organization with the premier GI professional organization, this will be the must-attend IBD conference, bringing state-of-the-art comprehensive care together with the latest research to advance prevention, treatment, and cures for IBD patients.

Save the date – Jan. 18-20, 2018, in Las Vegas. Get ready to expand your knowledge, network with other leaders, and be inspired! Stay tuned for our website launch and more details coming this spring.

AGA and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation are partnering to cosponsor a new annual conference for health care professionals and researchers. By joining the nation’s leading IBD patient organization with the premier GI professional organization, this will be the must-attend IBD conference, bringing state-of-the-art comprehensive care together with the latest research to advance prevention, treatment, and cures for IBD patients.

Save the date – Jan. 18-20, 2018, in Las Vegas. Get ready to expand your knowledge, network with other leaders, and be inspired! Stay tuned for our website launch and more details coming this spring.

Each year, AGA participates in a series of activities in support of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – and 2017 is no exception. March provides us with an important platform to help remind patients of the necessity of getting screened. Here are a few easy ways to join us in raising awareness:

• In-person: Take time this month to talk to your patients about their personal history and encourage timely screening. Visit www.gastro.org/CRC for materials you can provide to your patients to help them understand risk factors and screening options.
• On your practice website: When patients visit your website, make sure there is a prominent CRC screening reminder. You can link to AGA’s patient materials or use our awareness videos (also available via the above link) to help spread the word.
• On Facebook: AGA will be running a campaign throughout March to remind patients over 50 to get screened. Make sure to like us (facebook.com/AmerGastroAssn) to see our CRC posts, which you can share with your family and friends. If your practice has a Facebook page, the page can share all of our CRC awareness materials, as well.
• On Twitter: Tweeting is a great way to raise awareness among the public. Follow @AmerGastroAssn (twitter.com/AmerGastroAssn) for information on Twitter chats you can take part in to help raise awareness.

With your support, we can improve the public’s understanding of this deadly cancer and continue to increase screening rates. Stay tuned to AGA eDigest and AGA’s website (gastro.org) for timely CRC Awareness Month updates, and join CRC-related discussions with other AGA members on the AGA Community (community.gastro.org).

Each year, AGA participates in a series of activities in support of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – and 2017 is no exception. March provides us with an important platform to help remind patients of the necessity of getting screened. Here are a few easy ways to join us in raising awareness:

• In-person: Take time this month to talk to your patients about their personal history and encourage timely screening. Visit www.gastro.org/CRC for materials you can provide to your patients to help them understand risk factors and screening options.
• On your practice website: When patients visit your website, make sure there is a prominent CRC screening reminder. You can link to AGA’s patient materials or use our awareness videos (also available via the above link) to help spread the word.
• On Facebook: AGA will be running a campaign throughout March to remind patients over 50 to get screened. Make sure to like us (facebook.com/AmerGastroAssn) to see our CRC posts, which you can share with your family and friends. If your practice has a Facebook page, the page can share all of our CRC awareness materials, as well.
• On Twitter: Tweeting is a great way to raise awareness among the public. Follow @AmerGastroAssn (twitter.com/AmerGastroAssn) for information on Twitter chats you can take part in to help raise awareness.

With your support, we can improve the public’s understanding of this deadly cancer and continue to increase screening rates. Stay tuned to AGA eDigest and AGA’s website (gastro.org) for timely CRC Awareness Month updates, and join CRC-related discussions with other AGA members on the AGA Community (community.gastro.org).

Each year, AGA participates in a series of activities in support of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – and 2017 is no exception. March provides us with an important platform to help remind patients of the necessity of getting screened. Here are a few easy ways to join us in raising awareness:

• In-person: Take time this month to talk to your patients about their personal history and encourage timely screening. Visit www.gastro.org/CRC for materials you can provide to your patients to help them understand risk factors and screening options.
• On your practice website: When patients visit your website, make sure there is a prominent CRC screening reminder. You can link to AGA’s patient materials or use our awareness videos (also available via the above link) to help spread the word.
• On Facebook: AGA will be running a campaign throughout March to remind patients over 50 to get screened. Make sure to like us (facebook.com/AmerGastroAssn) to see our CRC posts, which you can share with your family and friends. If your practice has a Facebook page, the page can share all of our CRC awareness materials, as well.
• On Twitter: Tweeting is a great way to raise awareness among the public. Follow @AmerGastroAssn (twitter.com/AmerGastroAssn) for information on Twitter chats you can take part in to help raise awareness.

With your support, we can improve the public’s understanding of this deadly cancer and continue to increase screening rates. Stay tuned to AGA eDigest and AGA’s website (gastro.org) for timely CRC Awareness Month updates, and join CRC-related discussions with other AGA members on the AGA Community (community.gastro.org).

Research has brought so much to our specialty and advanced the science and practice of gastroenterology. Research is made possible through funding. AGA Legacy Society members are showing their gratitude for what funding and research has brought to our specialty by giving back.

Legacy Society members are the most generous individual donors to the AGA Research Foundation. Members of the AGA Legacy Society provide tax-deductible gifts to the AGA Research Foundation of $5,000 or more per year for 5 years ($25,000 total) or $50,000 or more in a planned gift, such as a bequest. All Legacy Society contributions go directly to support research awards.

“I was at a crossroads in my career when I received funding from the AGA,” said Michael Camilleri, MD, AGAF, AGA Past President. “Having been personally a recipient of awards from the AGA Research Foundation, I believe it is now important to give back. This is one of the ways I will impact not only the careers of young colleagues but ultimately patient care, as well.”

The AGA Research Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support young researchers in gastroenterology and hepatology. More than 870 researchers have benefited from our support since 1984 – with more than 90% of AGA Research Scholar Award recipients in the past 10 years continuing on to exceptional research careers. These research grants are funded through the generosity of donors.

“To understand the fundamental mechanism of disease process, particularly chronic diseases is always a challenge, but it is critical to be able to interfere with the disease process, halt progression and hopefully achieve a cure,” remarked Kiron M. Das, MD, PhD, AGAF. “Research has to be continued, and we have to train young investigators. On behalf of my wife and myself, we want to thank the AGA Research Foundation for its commitment to promote discovery. It is critical that we support and give to the AGA Research Foundation.”

AGA Institute

A celebration of research support

Beginning with a memorable gathering at the United States Library of Congress in 2007, the AGA Benefactors’ Dinner has welcomed members of the AGA Legacy Society and other AGA dignitaries to special locations nationwide. The University Club of Chicago will be the location of the 2017 AGA Research Foundation Benefactors Dinner during DDW in Chicago. Guests will enjoy a wonderful evening in the historic setting established in 1887 to foster an appreciation for literature and the arts. Members of the AGA Legacy Society will be among the distinguished honorees at the annual event.

Research has brought so much to our specialty and advanced the science and practice of gastroenterology. Research is made possible through funding. AGA Legacy Society members are showing their gratitude for what funding and research has brought to our specialty by giving back.

Legacy Society members are the most generous individual donors to the AGA Research Foundation. Members of the AGA Legacy Society provide tax-deductible gifts to the AGA Research Foundation of $5,000 or more per year for 5 years ($25,000 total) or $50,000 or more in a planned gift, such as a bequest. All Legacy Society contributions go directly to support research awards.

“I was at a crossroads in my career when I received funding from the AGA,” said Michael Camilleri, MD, AGAF, AGA Past President. “Having been personally a recipient of awards from the AGA Research Foundation, I believe it is now important to give back. This is one of the ways I will impact not only the careers of young colleagues but ultimately patient care, as well.”

The AGA Research Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support young researchers in gastroenterology and hepatology. More than 870 researchers have benefited from our support since 1984 – with more than 90% of AGA Research Scholar Award recipients in the past 10 years continuing on to exceptional research careers. These research grants are funded through the generosity of donors.

“To understand the fundamental mechanism of disease process, particularly chronic diseases is always a challenge, but it is critical to be able to interfere with the disease process, halt progression and hopefully achieve a cure,” remarked Kiron M. Das, MD, PhD, AGAF. “Research has to be continued, and we have to train young investigators. On behalf of my wife and myself, we want to thank the AGA Research Foundation for its commitment to promote discovery. It is critical that we support and give to the AGA Research Foundation.”

AGA Institute

A celebration of research support

Beginning with a memorable gathering at the United States Library of Congress in 2007, the AGA Benefactors’ Dinner has welcomed members of the AGA Legacy Society and other AGA dignitaries to special locations nationwide. The University Club of Chicago will be the location of the 2017 AGA Research Foundation Benefactors Dinner during DDW in Chicago. Guests will enjoy a wonderful evening in the historic setting established in 1887 to foster an appreciation for literature and the arts. Members of the AGA Legacy Society will be among the distinguished honorees at the annual event.

Research has brought so much to our specialty and advanced the science and practice of gastroenterology. Research is made possible through funding. AGA Legacy Society members are showing their gratitude for what funding and research has brought to our specialty by giving back.

Legacy Society members are the most generous individual donors to the AGA Research Foundation. Members of the AGA Legacy Society provide tax-deductible gifts to the AGA Research Foundation of $5,000 or more per year for 5 years ($25,000 total) or $50,000 or more in a planned gift, such as a bequest. All Legacy Society contributions go directly to support research awards.

“I was at a crossroads in my career when I received funding from the AGA,” said Michael Camilleri, MD, AGAF, AGA Past President. “Having been personally a recipient of awards from the AGA Research Foundation, I believe it is now important to give back. This is one of the ways I will impact not only the careers of young colleagues but ultimately patient care, as well.”

The AGA Research Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support young researchers in gastroenterology and hepatology. More than 870 researchers have benefited from our support since 1984 – with more than 90% of AGA Research Scholar Award recipients in the past 10 years continuing on to exceptional research careers. These research grants are funded through the generosity of donors.

“To understand the fundamental mechanism of disease process, particularly chronic diseases is always a challenge, but it is critical to be able to interfere with the disease process, halt progression and hopefully achieve a cure,” remarked Kiron M. Das, MD, PhD, AGAF. “Research has to be continued, and we have to train young investigators. On behalf of my wife and myself, we want to thank the AGA Research Foundation for its commitment to promote discovery. It is critical that we support and give to the AGA Research Foundation.”

AGA Institute

A celebration of research support

Beginning with a memorable gathering at the United States Library of Congress in 2007, the AGA Benefactors’ Dinner has welcomed members of the AGA Legacy Society and other AGA dignitaries to special locations nationwide. The University Club of Chicago will be the location of the 2017 AGA Research Foundation Benefactors Dinner during DDW in Chicago. Guests will enjoy a wonderful evening in the historic setting established in 1887 to foster an appreciation for literature and the arts. Members of the AGA Legacy Society will be among the distinguished honorees at the annual event.

Despite potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act under the new administration, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and commitment to cost-effective, value-based care is here to stay.

Congress overwhelmingly passed MACRA legislation with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress to overhaul the way physicians are reimbursed under Medicare. MACRA will eventually transition physicians toward more value-based payments. Ignore MACRA in 2017, and you will face an automatic reduction of 4% to your payments under Medicare in 2019.

You should take advantage of 2017 being a transition year during which time you can pick your pace for participation to help you increase your earning potential. If you are already reporting to the 2016 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), you will be familiar with some of the 2017 participation options that could qualify you for a reimbursement incentive in 2019 under MACRA.

If you have not participated in PQRS in 2016 or previous years, you need to start gathering information for your practice to begin reporting through one of the new MACRA 2017 reporting options by Oct. 2, 2017. Quality accounts for the highest percentage of your score and will help you maximize your potential for a positive adjustment.

AGA can help – check out our MACRA resources at gastro.org/MACRA and on the AGA Community.
 

[email protected]

Despite potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act under the new administration, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and commitment to cost-effective, value-based care is here to stay.

Congress overwhelmingly passed MACRA legislation with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress to overhaul the way physicians are reimbursed under Medicare. MACRA will eventually transition physicians toward more value-based payments. Ignore MACRA in 2017, and you will face an automatic reduction of 4% to your payments under Medicare in 2019.

You should take advantage of 2017 being a transition year during which time you can pick your pace for participation to help you increase your earning potential. If you are already reporting to the 2016 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), you will be familiar with some of the 2017 participation options that could qualify you for a reimbursement incentive in 2019 under MACRA.

If you have not participated in PQRS in 2016 or previous years, you need to start gathering information for your practice to begin reporting through one of the new MACRA 2017 reporting options by Oct. 2, 2017. Quality accounts for the highest percentage of your score and will help you maximize your potential for a positive adjustment.

AGA can help – check out our MACRA resources at gastro.org/MACRA and on the AGA Community.
 

[email protected]

Despite potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act under the new administration, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and commitment to cost-effective, value-based care is here to stay.

Congress overwhelmingly passed MACRA legislation with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress to overhaul the way physicians are reimbursed under Medicare. MACRA will eventually transition physicians toward more value-based payments. Ignore MACRA in 2017, and you will face an automatic reduction of 4% to your payments under Medicare in 2019.

You should take advantage of 2017 being a transition year during which time you can pick your pace for participation to help you increase your earning potential. If you are already reporting to the 2016 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), you will be familiar with some of the 2017 participation options that could qualify you for a reimbursement incentive in 2019 under MACRA.

If you have not participated in PQRS in 2016 or previous years, you need to start gathering information for your practice to begin reporting through one of the new MACRA 2017 reporting options by Oct. 2, 2017. Quality accounts for the highest percentage of your score and will help you maximize your potential for a positive adjustment.

AGA can help – check out our MACRA resources at gastro.org/MACRA and on the AGA Community.
 

[email protected]

Now you can read some of your favorite AGA journal articles and receive maintenance of certification (MOC) credit at the same time.

Each issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH)and Gastroenterology includes continuing medical education (CME) exams designated for potential CME, and now MOC as well. The exams, which are available to subscribers, are based on an article from that issue and consist of a single test with short questions, followed by a brief post-test evaluation.

AGA designates certain journal-based CME activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Successful completion of these CME activities, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to one MOC point in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) MOC program. As AGA works to reform the MOC system, we recognize that many members need to earn points in the current system. Eligible participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity.

For more information about logging in and participating, visit the journal sites.

Ready to get started? The March exams for both CGH and Gastroenterology are now available online. You can also access past exams from each publication, but keep in mind that credit can only be earned for up to 1 year after the exam has been published.

Now you can read some of your favorite AGA journal articles and receive maintenance of certification (MOC) credit at the same time.

Each issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH)and Gastroenterology includes continuing medical education (CME) exams designated for potential CME, and now MOC as well. The exams, which are available to subscribers, are based on an article from that issue and consist of a single test with short questions, followed by a brief post-test evaluation.

AGA designates certain journal-based CME activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Successful completion of these CME activities, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to one MOC point in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) MOC program. As AGA works to reform the MOC system, we recognize that many members need to earn points in the current system. Eligible participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity.

For more information about logging in and participating, visit the journal sites.

Ready to get started? The March exams for both CGH and Gastroenterology are now available online. You can also access past exams from each publication, but keep in mind that credit can only be earned for up to 1 year after the exam has been published.

Now you can read some of your favorite AGA journal articles and receive maintenance of certification (MOC) credit at the same time.

Each issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH)and Gastroenterology includes continuing medical education (CME) exams designated for potential CME, and now MOC as well. The exams, which are available to subscribers, are based on an article from that issue and consist of a single test with short questions, followed by a brief post-test evaluation.

AGA designates certain journal-based CME activities for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. Successful completion of these CME activities, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to one MOC point in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) MOC program. As AGA works to reform the MOC system, we recognize that many members need to earn points in the current system. Eligible participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity.

For more information about logging in and participating, visit the journal sites.

Ready to get started? The March exams for both CGH and Gastroenterology are now available online. You can also access past exams from each publication, but keep in mind that credit can only be earned for up to 1 year after the exam has been published.

In early February, AGA released the following statement on the U.S. travel ban:

Science and illness ignore borders and political divides. That is why AGA is concerned that the recent U.S. executive order on immigration could limit scientific exchange, delay patient care, and impair medical training.

AGA is committed to diversity, which includes race, ethnicity, and national origin. Diversity within training programs and laboratories in the United States built today’s practice of gastroenterology. Scientists from around the world publish in our journals, work in our laboratories, train in our programs, and present data at Digestive Disease Week.^® This exchange leads to better patient care, and very sick patients travel to the U.S. from around the world for the best digestive health care.

In light of these concerns, AGA adds our support to a growing number of medical institutions urging the administration to consider the devastating impact of the executive order on the health of the nation that will result from turning away patients, health professionals, and researchers. The recent immigration policy is clearly detrimental to America’s leadership role in advancing health care and to the standing of the U.S. within the international community.

“Know that the policies of AGA’s home country in no way reflect our position as an organization, and we continue to welcome and support physicians and investigators from all nations,” said AGA Institute President Timothy Wang, MD, AGAF. “We understand the impact that the recent ban has had on many, and apologize for any hurt or disruption it may have caused in your lives or careers.”

To better advocate on behalf of international members and patients, Dr. Wang invites members to the AGA Community, either publicly or anonymously, to share your stories about how a travel ban could affect your patients, practice, academic center, training program, or lab.

For more updates, please visit gastro.org.

In early February, AGA released the following statement on the U.S. travel ban:

Science and illness ignore borders and political divides. That is why AGA is concerned that the recent U.S. executive order on immigration could limit scientific exchange, delay patient care, and impair medical training.

AGA is committed to diversity, which includes race, ethnicity, and national origin. Diversity within training programs and laboratories in the United States built today’s practice of gastroenterology. Scientists from around the world publish in our journals, work in our laboratories, train in our programs, and present data at Digestive Disease Week.^® This exchange leads to better patient care, and very sick patients travel to the U.S. from around the world for the best digestive health care.

In light of these concerns, AGA adds our support to a growing number of medical institutions urging the administration to consider the devastating impact of the executive order on the health of the nation that will result from turning away patients, health professionals, and researchers. The recent immigration policy is clearly detrimental to America’s leadership role in advancing health care and to the standing of the U.S. within the international community.

“Know that the policies of AGA’s home country in no way reflect our position as an organization, and we continue to welcome and support physicians and investigators from all nations,” said AGA Institute President Timothy Wang, MD, AGAF. “We understand the impact that the recent ban has had on many, and apologize for any hurt or disruption it may have caused in your lives or careers.”

To better advocate on behalf of international members and patients, Dr. Wang invites members to the AGA Community, either publicly or anonymously, to share your stories about how a travel ban could affect your patients, practice, academic center, training program, or lab.

For more updates, please visit gastro.org.

In early February, AGA released the following statement on the U.S. travel ban:

Science and illness ignore borders and political divides. That is why AGA is concerned that the recent U.S. executive order on immigration could limit scientific exchange, delay patient care, and impair medical training.

AGA is committed to diversity, which includes race, ethnicity, and national origin. Diversity within training programs and laboratories in the United States built today’s practice of gastroenterology. Scientists from around the world publish in our journals, work in our laboratories, train in our programs, and present data at Digestive Disease Week.^® This exchange leads to better patient care, and very sick patients travel to the U.S. from around the world for the best digestive health care.

In light of these concerns, AGA adds our support to a growing number of medical institutions urging the administration to consider the devastating impact of the executive order on the health of the nation that will result from turning away patients, health professionals, and researchers. The recent immigration policy is clearly detrimental to America’s leadership role in advancing health care and to the standing of the U.S. within the international community.

“Know that the policies of AGA’s home country in no way reflect our position as an organization, and we continue to welcome and support physicians and investigators from all nations,” said AGA Institute President Timothy Wang, MD, AGAF. “We understand the impact that the recent ban has had on many, and apologize for any hurt or disruption it may have caused in your lives or careers.”

To better advocate on behalf of international members and patients, Dr. Wang invites members to the AGA Community, either publicly or anonymously, to share your stories about how a travel ban could affect your patients, practice, academic center, training program, or lab.

For more updates, please visit gastro.org.

Decades of research have revolutionized the care of many digestive disease patients. These patients, as well as everyone in the GI field, clinicians and researchers alike, have benefited from the discoveries of dedicated investigators, past and present. As the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the AGA Research Foundation contributes to this tradition of discovery to combat the continued lower quality of life and suffering brought on by digestive diseases.

AGA Institute

By joining others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation, you can help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators.

Help provide critical funding to young researchers today by making a donation to the AGA Research Foundation on the foundation’s website at www.gastro.org/contribute or by mail to 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Decades of research have revolutionized the care of many digestive disease patients. These patients, as well as everyone in the GI field, clinicians and researchers alike, have benefited from the discoveries of dedicated investigators, past and present. As the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the AGA Research Foundation contributes to this tradition of discovery to combat the continued lower quality of life and suffering brought on by digestive diseases.

AGA Institute

By joining others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation, you can help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators.

Help provide critical funding to young researchers today by making a donation to the AGA Research Foundation on the foundation’s website at www.gastro.org/contribute or by mail to 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Decades of research have revolutionized the care of many digestive disease patients. These patients, as well as everyone in the GI field, clinicians and researchers alike, have benefited from the discoveries of dedicated investigators, past and present. As the charitable arm of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the AGA Research Foundation contributes to this tradition of discovery to combat the continued lower quality of life and suffering brought on by digestive diseases.

AGA Institute

By joining others in donating to the AGA Research Foundation, you can help fill the funding gap and protect the next generation of investigators.

Help provide critical funding to young researchers today by making a donation to the AGA Research Foundation on the foundation’s website at www.gastro.org/contribute or by mail to 4930 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.

For more than a year, AGA has pushed the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to eliminate high-stakes testing and reform the maintenance of certification (MOC) system into one that’s personalized and reflective of the realities of practice.

ABIM’s listening tour is over. In December 2016, they announced the addition of an option for a 2-year “knowledge check-in.” Although ABIM can point to nominal progress by making the assessment available outside its testing centers, they have not addressed cost, personalization, or the impact on patient care of such assessments.

Despite AGA’s diligent efforts to co-create a new MOC process – which included creating G-APP, constant communication, and participation in numerous summits – ABIM deemed AGA’s approach to be inconsistent with its own philosophy. Nonetheless, we are still in the midst of an evolution. AGA will continue to work with our sister GI and internal medicine societies to bring about change that supports meaningful lifelong learning through the least intrusive means possible.

In the meantime, if your professional situation requires you to maintain certification, please visit ABIM’s blog for more information. AGA tools such as the Digestive Diseases Self-Education Program^® can help you prepare.

Visit http://www.gastro.org/career-center/maintenance-of-certification for the latest updates and information on MOC.

For more than a year, AGA has pushed the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to eliminate high-stakes testing and reform the maintenance of certification (MOC) system into one that’s personalized and reflective of the realities of practice.

ABIM’s listening tour is over. In December 2016, they announced the addition of an option for a 2-year “knowledge check-in.” Although ABIM can point to nominal progress by making the assessment available outside its testing centers, they have not addressed cost, personalization, or the impact on patient care of such assessments.

Despite AGA’s diligent efforts to co-create a new MOC process – which included creating G-APP, constant communication, and participation in numerous summits – ABIM deemed AGA’s approach to be inconsistent with its own philosophy. Nonetheless, we are still in the midst of an evolution. AGA will continue to work with our sister GI and internal medicine societies to bring about change that supports meaningful lifelong learning through the least intrusive means possible.

In the meantime, if your professional situation requires you to maintain certification, please visit ABIM’s blog for more information. AGA tools such as the Digestive Diseases Self-Education Program^® can help you prepare.

Visit http://www.gastro.org/career-center/maintenance-of-certification for the latest updates and information on MOC.

For more than a year, AGA has pushed the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to eliminate high-stakes testing and reform the maintenance of certification (MOC) system into one that’s personalized and reflective of the realities of practice.

ABIM’s listening tour is over. In December 2016, they announced the addition of an option for a 2-year “knowledge check-in.” Although ABIM can point to nominal progress by making the assessment available outside its testing centers, they have not addressed cost, personalization, or the impact on patient care of such assessments.

Despite AGA’s diligent efforts to co-create a new MOC process – which included creating G-APP, constant communication, and participation in numerous summits – ABIM deemed AGA’s approach to be inconsistent with its own philosophy. Nonetheless, we are still in the midst of an evolution. AGA will continue to work with our sister GI and internal medicine societies to bring about change that supports meaningful lifelong learning through the least intrusive means possible.

In the meantime, if your professional situation requires you to maintain certification, please visit ABIM’s blog for more information. AGA tools such as the Digestive Diseases Self-Education Program^® can help you prepare.

Visit http://www.gastro.org/career-center/maintenance-of-certification for the latest updates and information on MOC.

Prepare for 2017 with AGA’s Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) resources, which are available in the AGA Community resource library. This includes webinars, a tip sheet, and discussion threads.

The webinars and discussions in the community are available to members only, and contain information on the following topics:

• Intro to MACRA.
• 2016 PQRS Quality Reporting through the AGA Digestive Health Recognition Program (DHRP).
• Preparing for MIPS.

The materials were collected from a series of webinars and eQ&As in December, when topic experts presented a series of webinars on relevant MACRA protocols to help clinicians prepare for Medicare changes starting this year.

Each webinar preceded an Ask the Expert session in the AGA Community forum. Members brought their wide range of questions to the forum, including discussions about MACRA basics, as well as meticulous situation-based recording scenarios.

This members-only library can be accessed at community.gastro.org/MACRA. For more information, including a timeline, downloadable guides, and the latest MACRA news, visit gastro.org/MACRA.

Prepare for 2017 with AGA’s Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) resources, which are available in the AGA Community resource library. This includes webinars, a tip sheet, and discussion threads.

The webinars and discussions in the community are available to members only, and contain information on the following topics:

• Intro to MACRA.
• 2016 PQRS Quality Reporting through the AGA Digestive Health Recognition Program (DHRP).
• Preparing for MIPS.

The materials were collected from a series of webinars and eQ&As in December, when topic experts presented a series of webinars on relevant MACRA protocols to help clinicians prepare for Medicare changes starting this year.

Each webinar preceded an Ask the Expert session in the AGA Community forum. Members brought their wide range of questions to the forum, including discussions about MACRA basics, as well as meticulous situation-based recording scenarios.

This members-only library can be accessed at community.gastro.org/MACRA. For more information, including a timeline, downloadable guides, and the latest MACRA news, visit gastro.org/MACRA.

Prepare for 2017 with AGA’s Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) resources, which are available in the AGA Community resource library. This includes webinars, a tip sheet, and discussion threads.

The webinars and discussions in the community are available to members only, and contain information on the following topics:

• Intro to MACRA.
• 2016 PQRS Quality Reporting through the AGA Digestive Health Recognition Program (DHRP).
• Preparing for MIPS.

The materials were collected from a series of webinars and eQ&As in December, when topic experts presented a series of webinars on relevant MACRA protocols to help clinicians prepare for Medicare changes starting this year.

Each webinar preceded an Ask the Expert session in the AGA Community forum. Members brought their wide range of questions to the forum, including discussions about MACRA basics, as well as meticulous situation-based recording scenarios.

This members-only library can be accessed at community.gastro.org/MACRA. For more information, including a timeline, downloadable guides, and the latest MACRA news, visit gastro.org/MACRA.

Registration for AGA members opened Jan. 11, and general registration opened on Jan. 18. Register by March 22 to save at least $80; registration is complimentary up until this date for member trainees, students, and postdoctoral fellows.
 

Why attend DDW?

DDW is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students, and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery, and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education, or administration, the DDW program offers something for you.

For more information regarding why you should attend, what’s included in registration and more, visit www.ddw.org.
 

[email protected]

Registration for AGA members opened Jan. 11, and general registration opened on Jan. 18. Register by March 22 to save at least $80; registration is complimentary up until this date for member trainees, students, and postdoctoral fellows.
 

Why attend DDW?

DDW is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students, and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery, and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education, or administration, the DDW program offers something for you.

For more information regarding why you should attend, what’s included in registration and more, visit www.ddw.org.
 

[email protected]

Registration for AGA members opened Jan. 11, and general registration opened on Jan. 18. Register by March 22 to save at least $80; registration is complimentary up until this date for member trainees, students, and postdoctoral fellows.
 

Why attend DDW?

DDW is the world’s leading educational forum for academicians, clinicians, researchers, students, and trainees working in gastroenterology, hepatology, GI endoscopy, gastrointestinal surgery, and related fields. Whether you work in patient care, research, education, or administration, the DDW program offers something for you.

For more information regarding why you should attend, what’s included in registration and more, visit www.ddw.org.
 

[email protected]