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AGA seeks regulatory relief for GIs
A top priority for AGA this year is to call on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), other payors, and Congress to alleviate some of the regulatory burden that currently falls on physicians. Reevaluating prior authorization, step therapy, and Stark reform would allow physicians to devote more time and resources to provide high-quality care. A more comprehensive breakdown of the following key areas is available along with other top issues.
Prior authorization
• AGA urges payors to standardize prior authorization requirements and criteria and make them transparent and easily accessible. The services subject to prior authorization vary by payor, including CMS, as well as by plan type within a given payor. Physicians and physician practices are forced to comply with an increasing and unmanageable number of prior authorization requirements.
• AGA urges payors, including CMS, to develop and implement processes that allow for true “peer-to-peer” dialogues. Gastroenterologists seeking prior authorization for prescription drug or biologic therapy on behalf of a patient should be routed to a physician specialist in the same or similar discipline with expertise in the given condition to discuss the request.
Step therapy
• Step therapy, also known as “fail first,” occurs when an insurer requires patients to try and fail one or more lower-cost prescription drug or biologic therapies before covering the therapy originally prescribed by their health care provider.
• AGA urges insurers to reduce the burden of step therapy on physicians and physician practice. AGA supports The Restoring the Patient’s Voice Act (H.R. 2077), legislation introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, and Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., both physicians, that would provide a clear and timely appeals process when a patient has been subjected to step therapy.
Stark reform
• Stark self-referral laws prohibit physicians from referring patients to an entity in which they have a financial interest, which limits their ability to participate in many advanced alternative payment models (APMs). These prohibitions stifle care delivery innovation by inhibiting practices from incentivizing their physicians to deliver patient care more efficiently, because the practices cannot use resources from designated health services in rewarding or penalizing adherence to new clinical care pathways.
• AGA supports S. 2051/H.R. 4206, the Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act, which would provide CMS with the regulatory authority to create exceptions under the Stark law for APMs and to remove barriers in the current law to the development and operation of such arrangements.
A top priority for AGA this year is to call on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), other payors, and Congress to alleviate some of the regulatory burden that currently falls on physicians. Reevaluating prior authorization, step therapy, and Stark reform would allow physicians to devote more time and resources to provide high-quality care. A more comprehensive breakdown of the following key areas is available along with other top issues.
Prior authorization
• AGA urges payors to standardize prior authorization requirements and criteria and make them transparent and easily accessible. The services subject to prior authorization vary by payor, including CMS, as well as by plan type within a given payor. Physicians and physician practices are forced to comply with an increasing and unmanageable number of prior authorization requirements.
• AGA urges payors, including CMS, to develop and implement processes that allow for true “peer-to-peer” dialogues. Gastroenterologists seeking prior authorization for prescription drug or biologic therapy on behalf of a patient should be routed to a physician specialist in the same or similar discipline with expertise in the given condition to discuss the request.
Step therapy
• Step therapy, also known as “fail first,” occurs when an insurer requires patients to try and fail one or more lower-cost prescription drug or biologic therapies before covering the therapy originally prescribed by their health care provider.
• AGA urges insurers to reduce the burden of step therapy on physicians and physician practice. AGA supports The Restoring the Patient’s Voice Act (H.R. 2077), legislation introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, and Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., both physicians, that would provide a clear and timely appeals process when a patient has been subjected to step therapy.
Stark reform
• Stark self-referral laws prohibit physicians from referring patients to an entity in which they have a financial interest, which limits their ability to participate in many advanced alternative payment models (APMs). These prohibitions stifle care delivery innovation by inhibiting practices from incentivizing their physicians to deliver patient care more efficiently, because the practices cannot use resources from designated health services in rewarding or penalizing adherence to new clinical care pathways.
• AGA supports S. 2051/H.R. 4206, the Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act, which would provide CMS with the regulatory authority to create exceptions under the Stark law for APMs and to remove barriers in the current law to the development and operation of such arrangements.
A top priority for AGA this year is to call on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), other payors, and Congress to alleviate some of the regulatory burden that currently falls on physicians. Reevaluating prior authorization, step therapy, and Stark reform would allow physicians to devote more time and resources to provide high-quality care. A more comprehensive breakdown of the following key areas is available along with other top issues.
Prior authorization
• AGA urges payors to standardize prior authorization requirements and criteria and make them transparent and easily accessible. The services subject to prior authorization vary by payor, including CMS, as well as by plan type within a given payor. Physicians and physician practices are forced to comply with an increasing and unmanageable number of prior authorization requirements.
• AGA urges payors, including CMS, to develop and implement processes that allow for true “peer-to-peer” dialogues. Gastroenterologists seeking prior authorization for prescription drug or biologic therapy on behalf of a patient should be routed to a physician specialist in the same or similar discipline with expertise in the given condition to discuss the request.
Step therapy
• Step therapy, also known as “fail first,” occurs when an insurer requires patients to try and fail one or more lower-cost prescription drug or biologic therapies before covering the therapy originally prescribed by their health care provider.
• AGA urges insurers to reduce the burden of step therapy on physicians and physician practice. AGA supports The Restoring the Patient’s Voice Act (H.R. 2077), legislation introduced by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, and Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., both physicians, that would provide a clear and timely appeals process when a patient has been subjected to step therapy.
Stark reform
• Stark self-referral laws prohibit physicians from referring patients to an entity in which they have a financial interest, which limits their ability to participate in many advanced alternative payment models (APMs). These prohibitions stifle care delivery innovation by inhibiting practices from incentivizing their physicians to deliver patient care more efficiently, because the practices cannot use resources from designated health services in rewarding or penalizing adherence to new clinical care pathways.
• AGA supports S. 2051/H.R. 4206, the Medicare Care Coordination Improvement Act, which would provide CMS with the regulatory authority to create exceptions under the Stark law for APMs and to remove barriers in the current law to the development and operation of such arrangements.
Ten negotiation tenets to follow
Who’s going to negotiate your contract: you or a professional? Lawyer Scott Roman – at a recent AGA Regional Practice Skills Workshop – explained that answering this question early on can help ensure you maximize your contract benefits. His advice for any negotiation is keep to the following in mind:
- Prepare, prepare, prepare. Employers know when you’re winging it.
- Gain leverage. The more offers you have, the more leverage.
- Give yourself adequate time to negotiate.
- Establish your objectives and anticipate objectives of the employer.
- Determine the best case, worst case, and most likely scenario before you start negotiating.
- Try to define nonnegotiable issues.
- Try to get something each time you give something.
- Don’t negotiate against yourself.
- Keep cool and remember that these are people you may have to work with.
- Be flexible.
View the full presentation (login required), which also covers hot topics in negotiating your contract – more than 1-year base salary, bonuses, student loan repayment.
Visit www.gastro.org/education to see all on-demand education designed specifically for trainees and early career GIs.
Who’s going to negotiate your contract: you or a professional? Lawyer Scott Roman – at a recent AGA Regional Practice Skills Workshop – explained that answering this question early on can help ensure you maximize your contract benefits. His advice for any negotiation is keep to the following in mind:
- Prepare, prepare, prepare. Employers know when you’re winging it.
- Gain leverage. The more offers you have, the more leverage.
- Give yourself adequate time to negotiate.
- Establish your objectives and anticipate objectives of the employer.
- Determine the best case, worst case, and most likely scenario before you start negotiating.
- Try to define nonnegotiable issues.
- Try to get something each time you give something.
- Don’t negotiate against yourself.
- Keep cool and remember that these are people you may have to work with.
- Be flexible.
View the full presentation (login required), which also covers hot topics in negotiating your contract – more than 1-year base salary, bonuses, student loan repayment.
Visit www.gastro.org/education to see all on-demand education designed specifically for trainees and early career GIs.
Who’s going to negotiate your contract: you or a professional? Lawyer Scott Roman – at a recent AGA Regional Practice Skills Workshop – explained that answering this question early on can help ensure you maximize your contract benefits. His advice for any negotiation is keep to the following in mind:
- Prepare, prepare, prepare. Employers know when you’re winging it.
- Gain leverage. The more offers you have, the more leverage.
- Give yourself adequate time to negotiate.
- Establish your objectives and anticipate objectives of the employer.
- Determine the best case, worst case, and most likely scenario before you start negotiating.
- Try to define nonnegotiable issues.
- Try to get something each time you give something.
- Don’t negotiate against yourself.
- Keep cool and remember that these are people you may have to work with.
- Be flexible.
View the full presentation (login required), which also covers hot topics in negotiating your contract – more than 1-year base salary, bonuses, student loan repayment.
Visit www.gastro.org/education to see all on-demand education designed specifically for trainees and early career GIs.
What does burnout cost?
How are you feeling today? Simple words but a bit of introspection can go a long way. P It affects a physician’s well-being, effectiveness, productivity, and the ability to provide quality care. It also carries personal consequences for physicians including broken relationships, substance abuse, suicide, and depression.
Burnout may affect at least one-third of gastroenterologists. At greater risk are younger physicians, physicians performing high-risk procedures, and physicians experiencing work-life conflicts.
While the root cause of physician burnout varies from provider to provider, an overarching theme is work stress. Work stress may develop for a number of reasons, including issues at the level of the health care system (shifts in reimbursement or payment models, increasing clerical burden of the electronic medical record), organizational issues (e.g., dysfunctional administration, system-wide communication issues), and personal issues.
The key to preventing burnout is to first recognize that it can happen. Because initial symptoms build up internally, it can be easy to overlook. These seven steps can help you prevent burnout:
- Be self-aware and stay vigilant.
- Take care of yourself first.
- Stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers.
- Exercise.
- Ensure adequate sleep.
- Use your vacation time and ensure you disconnect yourself from work.
- Learn to say no.
A case study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology delves deeper into how burnout develops, why it matters, and provides pathways to successfully combat it.
How are you feeling today? Simple words but a bit of introspection can go a long way. P It affects a physician’s well-being, effectiveness, productivity, and the ability to provide quality care. It also carries personal consequences for physicians including broken relationships, substance abuse, suicide, and depression.
Burnout may affect at least one-third of gastroenterologists. At greater risk are younger physicians, physicians performing high-risk procedures, and physicians experiencing work-life conflicts.
While the root cause of physician burnout varies from provider to provider, an overarching theme is work stress. Work stress may develop for a number of reasons, including issues at the level of the health care system (shifts in reimbursement or payment models, increasing clerical burden of the electronic medical record), organizational issues (e.g., dysfunctional administration, system-wide communication issues), and personal issues.
The key to preventing burnout is to first recognize that it can happen. Because initial symptoms build up internally, it can be easy to overlook. These seven steps can help you prevent burnout:
- Be self-aware and stay vigilant.
- Take care of yourself first.
- Stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers.
- Exercise.
- Ensure adequate sleep.
- Use your vacation time and ensure you disconnect yourself from work.
- Learn to say no.
A case study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology delves deeper into how burnout develops, why it matters, and provides pathways to successfully combat it.
How are you feeling today? Simple words but a bit of introspection can go a long way. P It affects a physician’s well-being, effectiveness, productivity, and the ability to provide quality care. It also carries personal consequences for physicians including broken relationships, substance abuse, suicide, and depression.
Burnout may affect at least one-third of gastroenterologists. At greater risk are younger physicians, physicians performing high-risk procedures, and physicians experiencing work-life conflicts.
While the root cause of physician burnout varies from provider to provider, an overarching theme is work stress. Work stress may develop for a number of reasons, including issues at the level of the health care system (shifts in reimbursement or payment models, increasing clerical burden of the electronic medical record), organizational issues (e.g., dysfunctional administration, system-wide communication issues), and personal issues.
The key to preventing burnout is to first recognize that it can happen. Because initial symptoms build up internally, it can be easy to overlook. These seven steps can help you prevent burnout:
- Be self-aware and stay vigilant.
- Take care of yourself first.
- Stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers.
- Exercise.
- Ensure adequate sleep.
- Use your vacation time and ensure you disconnect yourself from work.
- Learn to say no.
A case study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology delves deeper into how burnout develops, why it matters, and provides pathways to successfully combat it.
Sessions at DDW® 2018 designed for trainees and early career GIs
Participants will learn about all aspects of starting a career in clinical practice or research, have the opportunity to network with mentors and peers, and review board material.
With the exception of the AGA Postgraduate Course, all of the sessions are free, but you must register for DDW to attend. Registration is open and is complimentary for AGA member trainees, students, medical residents, and postdoctoral fellows until April 18. Visit the AGA website for additional details about these sessions.
Saturday, June 2, and Sunday, June 3
- Difficult Conversations: Navigating People, Negotiations, Promotions, and Complications
Sunday, June 3, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Advancing Clinical Practice: GI Fellow-Directed Quality Improvement Projects
Monday, June 4, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Board Review Course
Tuesday, June 5, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Participants will learn about all aspects of starting a career in clinical practice or research, have the opportunity to network with mentors and peers, and review board material.
With the exception of the AGA Postgraduate Course, all of the sessions are free, but you must register for DDW to attend. Registration is open and is complimentary for AGA member trainees, students, medical residents, and postdoctoral fellows until April 18. Visit the AGA website for additional details about these sessions.
Saturday, June 2, and Sunday, June 3
- Difficult Conversations: Navigating People, Negotiations, Promotions, and Complications
Sunday, June 3, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Advancing Clinical Practice: GI Fellow-Directed Quality Improvement Projects
Monday, June 4, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Board Review Course
Tuesday, June 5, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Participants will learn about all aspects of starting a career in clinical practice or research, have the opportunity to network with mentors and peers, and review board material.
With the exception of the AGA Postgraduate Course, all of the sessions are free, but you must register for DDW to attend. Registration is open and is complimentary for AGA member trainees, students, medical residents, and postdoctoral fellows until April 18. Visit the AGA website for additional details about these sessions.
Saturday, June 2, and Sunday, June 3
- Difficult Conversations: Navigating People, Negotiations, Promotions, and Complications
Sunday, June 3, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Advancing Clinical Practice: GI Fellow-Directed Quality Improvement Projects
Monday, June 4, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Board Review Course
Tuesday, June 5, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Making the most of your DDW experience
It’s that time of the year again: Digestive Disease Week (DDW®)! This event evolved out of the AGA annual meetings and was first advertised as DDW in the January 1969 issue of Gastroenterology.1 Since that time, it has grown into a truly international event with over 14,000 attendees, 41% of whom attend from abroad.2
DDW is a collaborative event that is jointly sponsored by four professional GI/hepatology-related societies – the AGA, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. The conference topics cover the gamut of GI and hepatology conditions and participants represent all types of professional settings, including private practice (37%), hospitals (33%), and academic medical centers (28%).2 Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned participant, DDW offers something for everyone.
Plan ahead
Is there a new treatment or condition you’ve wanted to learn more about? Are you interested in testing the latest endoscopic devices or learning a new procedural technique? Experts from around the world come to DDW to showcase the latest developments in GI. However, with over 5,000 abstracts and lectures and almost 300 exhibition booths, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the offerings. To make the most of your experience, plan ahead.
In the months prior to the conference, visit the DDW website to download the Preliminary Program. Pick out your can’t-miss lectures and events, and put them on your calendar right away. As DDW approaches, invitations from colleagues, societies, and industry grow, so preplanning is a necessity.
Approximately 1 month before DDW, the DDW Mobile App will become available for free download in the Apple and Google Play stores. You can highlight events of interest and place them on a personalized calendar. Allow for push notifications to get the latest updates and schedule changes throughout the event. In addition, the in-app maps of the venue are a fantastic way to locate where scheduled events will take place. Try to attend talks that are located close to one another. The conference center is expansive and you may miss your intended presentations by trying to catch overlapping sessions situated far from each other. If you prefer planning on a desktop or laptop, use the DDW Online Planner (available mid-April) to create your schedule. The information can then be synced to your mobile device through the app.
Upon arrival, be sure to pick up your attendee conference bag. Before recycling the contents, look for any product theaters, satellite symposia, exhibitor booths, or other advertised activities you may want to add to your schedule.
Practical tips
a) Register ahead of time and pick up your conference bag during off-hours to avoid long lines.
b) Book your hotel early. Most have generous cancellation policies. Registration is required before booking housing.
c) Pack comfortable shoes and dress in layers to accommodate both unpredictable weather and indoor climate control.
Make new connections and nurture old ones
Is your professional hero giving a talk? Are you looking to land your first job or make a move? Do you need some face time with a mentor outside your institution? DDW is a wonderful opportunity to connect with advisers and possible employers as well as potential and established collaborators. Schedules fill up quickly though, so try your best to email requests for meetings well ahead of time. The app also has a messaging feature you can use to communicate with other attendees.
At the meeting, be an active participant and ask questions. One of the greatest benefits of attending the conference is the opportunity to interact with others. For trainees and early career attendees, DDW is your debutante ball! Introduce yourself and your work to the broader GI community. Bring your business cards as well as a notebook to write down questions and comments about your study. Look engaging when standing by your poster and offer to walk visitors through your research. There will also be an opportunity to have free headshots taken in the Early Career area this year.
Also take advantage of DDW’s big draw to reconnect with old friends and colleagues from around the U.S. and the world. Schedule a time to catch up and swap stories. Learn from each other’s successes and mistakes. It’s good for the soul and your career.
Post-DDW
Attending DDW is only the start! The most important part of the conference is what happens afterward. Send an email to individuals you met to establish a line of communication and thank them for their advice or insight. Did someone offer to share a protocol, start a collaboration, or introduce you to a colleague? Take them up on the offer! Notes that were taken in the app can also be emailed. In addition, registration includes 2 years of access to DDW On Demand, an online library of sessions. If there were any nonticketed presentations that you missed, you can watch them upon your return. Similarly, access missed posters at the DDW ePosters archive, where you can read poster abstracts and view ePosters, if submitted. Abstracts will still be viewable through the app and online planner as well. Reach out to colleagues if you have questions about their work!
Also, don’t forget to take what you learned back to your community. Share your new knowledge with your colleagues and trainees, and consider if there are any new concepts or approaches that should be implemented in your practice.
Practical tip
Before it falls off your radar, submit for CME credits for the sessions you attended. To claim CME, you may flag sessions for CME using the DDW Mobile App, visit a CME kiosk on site or access the DDW CME Claim Site after the meeting. Visit the DDW website for more information on claiming CME.
Refine, refocus, and recharge
DDW is the most comprehensive GI event in the world. Take advantage of the learning opportunities to improve your own work. Note how the landscape of GI is evolving and use it to reevaluate your own career development strategy and how you want to contribute to the field. Most importantly, get inspired. After exploring the most up-to-date advances and connecting with colleagues and thought leaders at DDW, you will hopefully return to your home institution feeling reinvigorated, refreshed, and ready to apply your newfound insights to your patient care or to your research.
See you at DDW!
References
1. Notices. Gastroenterology. 1969;569(1):188-9. http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(69)80085-5/pdf.
2. Exhibitor Prospectus | Digestive Disease Week® 2018. https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/GASTRO/44b1f1fd-aaed-44c8-954f-b0eaea6b0462/UploadedFiles/B4KUryNTNS5lEaFk6jBQ_DDW%202018%20Exhibitor%20Prospectus_Staffchanges.pdf
Dr. Chen is assistant professor of medicine, New York University School of Medicine.
It’s that time of the year again: Digestive Disease Week (DDW®)! This event evolved out of the AGA annual meetings and was first advertised as DDW in the January 1969 issue of Gastroenterology.1 Since that time, it has grown into a truly international event with over 14,000 attendees, 41% of whom attend from abroad.2
DDW is a collaborative event that is jointly sponsored by four professional GI/hepatology-related societies – the AGA, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. The conference topics cover the gamut of GI and hepatology conditions and participants represent all types of professional settings, including private practice (37%), hospitals (33%), and academic medical centers (28%).2 Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned participant, DDW offers something for everyone.
Plan ahead
Is there a new treatment or condition you’ve wanted to learn more about? Are you interested in testing the latest endoscopic devices or learning a new procedural technique? Experts from around the world come to DDW to showcase the latest developments in GI. However, with over 5,000 abstracts and lectures and almost 300 exhibition booths, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the offerings. To make the most of your experience, plan ahead.
In the months prior to the conference, visit the DDW website to download the Preliminary Program. Pick out your can’t-miss lectures and events, and put them on your calendar right away. As DDW approaches, invitations from colleagues, societies, and industry grow, so preplanning is a necessity.
Approximately 1 month before DDW, the DDW Mobile App will become available for free download in the Apple and Google Play stores. You can highlight events of interest and place them on a personalized calendar. Allow for push notifications to get the latest updates and schedule changes throughout the event. In addition, the in-app maps of the venue are a fantastic way to locate where scheduled events will take place. Try to attend talks that are located close to one another. The conference center is expansive and you may miss your intended presentations by trying to catch overlapping sessions situated far from each other. If you prefer planning on a desktop or laptop, use the DDW Online Planner (available mid-April) to create your schedule. The information can then be synced to your mobile device through the app.
Upon arrival, be sure to pick up your attendee conference bag. Before recycling the contents, look for any product theaters, satellite symposia, exhibitor booths, or other advertised activities you may want to add to your schedule.
Practical tips
a) Register ahead of time and pick up your conference bag during off-hours to avoid long lines.
b) Book your hotel early. Most have generous cancellation policies. Registration is required before booking housing.
c) Pack comfortable shoes and dress in layers to accommodate both unpredictable weather and indoor climate control.
Make new connections and nurture old ones
Is your professional hero giving a talk? Are you looking to land your first job or make a move? Do you need some face time with a mentor outside your institution? DDW is a wonderful opportunity to connect with advisers and possible employers as well as potential and established collaborators. Schedules fill up quickly though, so try your best to email requests for meetings well ahead of time. The app also has a messaging feature you can use to communicate with other attendees.
At the meeting, be an active participant and ask questions. One of the greatest benefits of attending the conference is the opportunity to interact with others. For trainees and early career attendees, DDW is your debutante ball! Introduce yourself and your work to the broader GI community. Bring your business cards as well as a notebook to write down questions and comments about your study. Look engaging when standing by your poster and offer to walk visitors through your research. There will also be an opportunity to have free headshots taken in the Early Career area this year.
Also take advantage of DDW’s big draw to reconnect with old friends and colleagues from around the U.S. and the world. Schedule a time to catch up and swap stories. Learn from each other’s successes and mistakes. It’s good for the soul and your career.
Post-DDW
Attending DDW is only the start! The most important part of the conference is what happens afterward. Send an email to individuals you met to establish a line of communication and thank them for their advice or insight. Did someone offer to share a protocol, start a collaboration, or introduce you to a colleague? Take them up on the offer! Notes that were taken in the app can also be emailed. In addition, registration includes 2 years of access to DDW On Demand, an online library of sessions. If there were any nonticketed presentations that you missed, you can watch them upon your return. Similarly, access missed posters at the DDW ePosters archive, where you can read poster abstracts and view ePosters, if submitted. Abstracts will still be viewable through the app and online planner as well. Reach out to colleagues if you have questions about their work!
Also, don’t forget to take what you learned back to your community. Share your new knowledge with your colleagues and trainees, and consider if there are any new concepts or approaches that should be implemented in your practice.
Practical tip
Before it falls off your radar, submit for CME credits for the sessions you attended. To claim CME, you may flag sessions for CME using the DDW Mobile App, visit a CME kiosk on site or access the DDW CME Claim Site after the meeting. Visit the DDW website for more information on claiming CME.
Refine, refocus, and recharge
DDW is the most comprehensive GI event in the world. Take advantage of the learning opportunities to improve your own work. Note how the landscape of GI is evolving and use it to reevaluate your own career development strategy and how you want to contribute to the field. Most importantly, get inspired. After exploring the most up-to-date advances and connecting with colleagues and thought leaders at DDW, you will hopefully return to your home institution feeling reinvigorated, refreshed, and ready to apply your newfound insights to your patient care or to your research.
See you at DDW!
References
1. Notices. Gastroenterology. 1969;569(1):188-9. http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(69)80085-5/pdf.
2. Exhibitor Prospectus | Digestive Disease Week® 2018. https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/GASTRO/44b1f1fd-aaed-44c8-954f-b0eaea6b0462/UploadedFiles/B4KUryNTNS5lEaFk6jBQ_DDW%202018%20Exhibitor%20Prospectus_Staffchanges.pdf
Dr. Chen is assistant professor of medicine, New York University School of Medicine.
It’s that time of the year again: Digestive Disease Week (DDW®)! This event evolved out of the AGA annual meetings and was first advertised as DDW in the January 1969 issue of Gastroenterology.1 Since that time, it has grown into a truly international event with over 14,000 attendees, 41% of whom attend from abroad.2
DDW is a collaborative event that is jointly sponsored by four professional GI/hepatology-related societies – the AGA, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. The conference topics cover the gamut of GI and hepatology conditions and participants represent all types of professional settings, including private practice (37%), hospitals (33%), and academic medical centers (28%).2 Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned participant, DDW offers something for everyone.
Plan ahead
Is there a new treatment or condition you’ve wanted to learn more about? Are you interested in testing the latest endoscopic devices or learning a new procedural technique? Experts from around the world come to DDW to showcase the latest developments in GI. However, with over 5,000 abstracts and lectures and almost 300 exhibition booths, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the offerings. To make the most of your experience, plan ahead.
In the months prior to the conference, visit the DDW website to download the Preliminary Program. Pick out your can’t-miss lectures and events, and put them on your calendar right away. As DDW approaches, invitations from colleagues, societies, and industry grow, so preplanning is a necessity.
Approximately 1 month before DDW, the DDW Mobile App will become available for free download in the Apple and Google Play stores. You can highlight events of interest and place them on a personalized calendar. Allow for push notifications to get the latest updates and schedule changes throughout the event. In addition, the in-app maps of the venue are a fantastic way to locate where scheduled events will take place. Try to attend talks that are located close to one another. The conference center is expansive and you may miss your intended presentations by trying to catch overlapping sessions situated far from each other. If you prefer planning on a desktop or laptop, use the DDW Online Planner (available mid-April) to create your schedule. The information can then be synced to your mobile device through the app.
Upon arrival, be sure to pick up your attendee conference bag. Before recycling the contents, look for any product theaters, satellite symposia, exhibitor booths, or other advertised activities you may want to add to your schedule.
Practical tips
a) Register ahead of time and pick up your conference bag during off-hours to avoid long lines.
b) Book your hotel early. Most have generous cancellation policies. Registration is required before booking housing.
c) Pack comfortable shoes and dress in layers to accommodate both unpredictable weather and indoor climate control.
Make new connections and nurture old ones
Is your professional hero giving a talk? Are you looking to land your first job or make a move? Do you need some face time with a mentor outside your institution? DDW is a wonderful opportunity to connect with advisers and possible employers as well as potential and established collaborators. Schedules fill up quickly though, so try your best to email requests for meetings well ahead of time. The app also has a messaging feature you can use to communicate with other attendees.
At the meeting, be an active participant and ask questions. One of the greatest benefits of attending the conference is the opportunity to interact with others. For trainees and early career attendees, DDW is your debutante ball! Introduce yourself and your work to the broader GI community. Bring your business cards as well as a notebook to write down questions and comments about your study. Look engaging when standing by your poster and offer to walk visitors through your research. There will also be an opportunity to have free headshots taken in the Early Career area this year.
Also take advantage of DDW’s big draw to reconnect with old friends and colleagues from around the U.S. and the world. Schedule a time to catch up and swap stories. Learn from each other’s successes and mistakes. It’s good for the soul and your career.
Post-DDW
Attending DDW is only the start! The most important part of the conference is what happens afterward. Send an email to individuals you met to establish a line of communication and thank them for their advice or insight. Did someone offer to share a protocol, start a collaboration, or introduce you to a colleague? Take them up on the offer! Notes that were taken in the app can also be emailed. In addition, registration includes 2 years of access to DDW On Demand, an online library of sessions. If there were any nonticketed presentations that you missed, you can watch them upon your return. Similarly, access missed posters at the DDW ePosters archive, where you can read poster abstracts and view ePosters, if submitted. Abstracts will still be viewable through the app and online planner as well. Reach out to colleagues if you have questions about their work!
Also, don’t forget to take what you learned back to your community. Share your new knowledge with your colleagues and trainees, and consider if there are any new concepts or approaches that should be implemented in your practice.
Practical tip
Before it falls off your radar, submit for CME credits for the sessions you attended. To claim CME, you may flag sessions for CME using the DDW Mobile App, visit a CME kiosk on site or access the DDW CME Claim Site after the meeting. Visit the DDW website for more information on claiming CME.
Refine, refocus, and recharge
DDW is the most comprehensive GI event in the world. Take advantage of the learning opportunities to improve your own work. Note how the landscape of GI is evolving and use it to reevaluate your own career development strategy and how you want to contribute to the field. Most importantly, get inspired. After exploring the most up-to-date advances and connecting with colleagues and thought leaders at DDW, you will hopefully return to your home institution feeling reinvigorated, refreshed, and ready to apply your newfound insights to your patient care or to your research.
See you at DDW!
References
1. Notices. Gastroenterology. 1969;569(1):188-9. http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(69)80085-5/pdf.
2. Exhibitor Prospectus | Digestive Disease Week® 2018. https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/GASTRO/44b1f1fd-aaed-44c8-954f-b0eaea6b0462/UploadedFiles/B4KUryNTNS5lEaFk6jBQ_DDW%202018%20Exhibitor%20Prospectus_Staffchanges.pdf
Dr. Chen is assistant professor of medicine, New York University School of Medicine.
Nominations open for the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators
Apply to become a member of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, a unique program of the American College of Surgeons. Membership will be open to master surgeon educators from across the surgical specialties. Learn more here. The deadline for nominating a colleague is April 20. The deadline for self-nomination is May 14.
Apply to become a member of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, a unique program of the American College of Surgeons. Membership will be open to master surgeon educators from across the surgical specialties. Learn more here. The deadline for nominating a colleague is April 20. The deadline for self-nomination is May 14.
Apply to become a member of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators, a unique program of the American College of Surgeons. Membership will be open to master surgeon educators from across the surgical specialties. Learn more here. The deadline for nominating a colleague is April 20. The deadline for self-nomination is May 14.
Send Us Your Photos of Your Vascular Team
The theme of this year’s Vascular Annual Meeting is “Home of the Vascular Team – Partners in Patient Care.” To celebrate the work of all of the members of the vascular team, we want you to send in your team pictures. Round up the staff and take a picture with your cell phone or tablet. Then send it by May 15 to [email protected]. We’ll use these team photos for social media and, during the meeting itself, in various slide shows. VAM will be June 20 to 23 in Boston. Exhibits are June 21-22 and scientific sessions are June 21-23.
The theme of this year’s Vascular Annual Meeting is “Home of the Vascular Team – Partners in Patient Care.” To celebrate the work of all of the members of the vascular team, we want you to send in your team pictures. Round up the staff and take a picture with your cell phone or tablet. Then send it by May 15 to [email protected]. We’ll use these team photos for social media and, during the meeting itself, in various slide shows. VAM will be June 20 to 23 in Boston. Exhibits are June 21-22 and scientific sessions are June 21-23.
The theme of this year’s Vascular Annual Meeting is “Home of the Vascular Team – Partners in Patient Care.” To celebrate the work of all of the members of the vascular team, we want you to send in your team pictures. Round up the staff and take a picture with your cell phone or tablet. Then send it by May 15 to [email protected]. We’ll use these team photos for social media and, during the meeting itself, in various slide shows. VAM will be June 20 to 23 in Boston. Exhibits are June 21-22 and scientific sessions are June 21-23.
Learn to Negotiate Physician Compensation Agreements
SVS and the SVS Community Practice Committee will hold an informative webinar for SVS members on April 30 on “Negotiating Physician Employment Agreements.” The 75-minute webinar will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain and 5 p.m. Pacific times. Topics will include current trends, regulatory overview and key contractual provisions. Register here.
SVS and the SVS Community Practice Committee will hold an informative webinar for SVS members on April 30 on “Negotiating Physician Employment Agreements.” The 75-minute webinar will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain and 5 p.m. Pacific times. Topics will include current trends, regulatory overview and key contractual provisions. Register here.
SVS and the SVS Community Practice Committee will hold an informative webinar for SVS members on April 30 on “Negotiating Physician Employment Agreements.” The 75-minute webinar will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain and 5 p.m. Pacific times. Topics will include current trends, regulatory overview and key contractual provisions. Register here.
SVS 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting to Host Vascular Teams
When: June 20-23
Where: Hynes Convention Center, Boston
Scientific Sessions: June 21-23
Exhibit Hall: June 21-22
Register: vsweb.org/VAM18
#VAM18
What’s happening this year at the Society for Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Annual Meeting?
- Enhanced online program planner that syncs with meeting app and makes it simple to plan your schedule. Follow this link to start now
- New opportunities for audience participation and discussion
- Programming aimed at physicians and the vascular team in all practice settings
- Cooperative scheduling with the Society for Vascular Nursing and physician assistants
- Great minds, stimulating discussions and events that include the entire vascular team
The 2018 VAM, sponsored by the SVS, will be at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass., June 20-23. The scientific sessions and exhibit hall open June 21. Registration numbers are already exceeding last year’s benchmarks, organizers said.
Abstracts for all the scientific sessions will be available in the June Journal of Vascular Surgery supplement.
Some of the highlights:
Inclusive. – This year’s meeting has a theme: The Vascular Team: Partners in Patient Care. Every member of the vascular team – surgeons, nurses, nurse practitioners, PAs – will find a reason to attend.
The meeting provides programming across all practice settings with an even stronger focus on practical, take-home information for all.
View Dr. Darling’s “wicked awesome” Welcome to VAM18 video
The Society for Vascular Nursing’s annual meeting will be in the same location June 20-21. Registration for the SVN meeting includes access to VAM.
This year, the newly established membership section for vascular PAs will present PA-focused education. Within just the past few months, more than 130 PAs joined SVS and many are expected to be at VAM.
An Intuitive Planner - VAM18 meeting will see a new online program planner that allows attendees to filter by session type, areas of interest, faculty, and more. Attendees can favorite a session to build their own meeting schedule. The online planner will sync with the new meeting mobile app, so that attendees can carry their schedule with them. The mobile app will be available through the SVS store in June.
Interactive sessions - Meeting organizers have added more opportunities for small group and audience interaction during and after sessions.
Industry’s best – This year’s Exhibit Hall will run for two days with longer hours each day than in previous years. It will feature the crowd-pleasing Vascular Live sessions each day, as well as exhibits showing off innovative devices and offering a chance to chat one-on-one with company representatives. To add to the festivities, a scavenger hunt will foster interaction.
Familiar favorites will be back – workshops, postgraduate courses, international sessions, posters, collaborative events with other societies and many, many chances to network and catch up with old friends. The essential VAM on Demand post-meeting slides, audio and video will help members revisit VAM anytime.
Learn more about the 2018 VAM here: All about VAM18
When: June 20-23
Where: Hynes Convention Center, Boston
Scientific Sessions: June 21-23
Exhibit Hall: June 21-22
Register: vsweb.org/VAM18
#VAM18
What’s happening this year at the Society for Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Annual Meeting?
- Enhanced online program planner that syncs with meeting app and makes it simple to plan your schedule. Follow this link to start now
- New opportunities for audience participation and discussion
- Programming aimed at physicians and the vascular team in all practice settings
- Cooperative scheduling with the Society for Vascular Nursing and physician assistants
- Great minds, stimulating discussions and events that include the entire vascular team
The 2018 VAM, sponsored by the SVS, will be at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass., June 20-23. The scientific sessions and exhibit hall open June 21. Registration numbers are already exceeding last year’s benchmarks, organizers said.
Abstracts for all the scientific sessions will be available in the June Journal of Vascular Surgery supplement.
Some of the highlights:
Inclusive. – This year’s meeting has a theme: The Vascular Team: Partners in Patient Care. Every member of the vascular team – surgeons, nurses, nurse practitioners, PAs – will find a reason to attend.
The meeting provides programming across all practice settings with an even stronger focus on practical, take-home information for all.
View Dr. Darling’s “wicked awesome” Welcome to VAM18 video
The Society for Vascular Nursing’s annual meeting will be in the same location June 20-21. Registration for the SVN meeting includes access to VAM.
This year, the newly established membership section for vascular PAs will present PA-focused education. Within just the past few months, more than 130 PAs joined SVS and many are expected to be at VAM.
An Intuitive Planner - VAM18 meeting will see a new online program planner that allows attendees to filter by session type, areas of interest, faculty, and more. Attendees can favorite a session to build their own meeting schedule. The online planner will sync with the new meeting mobile app, so that attendees can carry their schedule with them. The mobile app will be available through the SVS store in June.
Interactive sessions - Meeting organizers have added more opportunities for small group and audience interaction during and after sessions.
Industry’s best – This year’s Exhibit Hall will run for two days with longer hours each day than in previous years. It will feature the crowd-pleasing Vascular Live sessions each day, as well as exhibits showing off innovative devices and offering a chance to chat one-on-one with company representatives. To add to the festivities, a scavenger hunt will foster interaction.
Familiar favorites will be back – workshops, postgraduate courses, international sessions, posters, collaborative events with other societies and many, many chances to network and catch up with old friends. The essential VAM on Demand post-meeting slides, audio and video will help members revisit VAM anytime.
Learn more about the 2018 VAM here: All about VAM18
When: June 20-23
Where: Hynes Convention Center, Boston
Scientific Sessions: June 21-23
Exhibit Hall: June 21-22
Register: vsweb.org/VAM18
#VAM18
What’s happening this year at the Society for Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Annual Meeting?
- Enhanced online program planner that syncs with meeting app and makes it simple to plan your schedule. Follow this link to start now
- New opportunities for audience participation and discussion
- Programming aimed at physicians and the vascular team in all practice settings
- Cooperative scheduling with the Society for Vascular Nursing and physician assistants
- Great minds, stimulating discussions and events that include the entire vascular team
The 2018 VAM, sponsored by the SVS, will be at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass., June 20-23. The scientific sessions and exhibit hall open June 21. Registration numbers are already exceeding last year’s benchmarks, organizers said.
Abstracts for all the scientific sessions will be available in the June Journal of Vascular Surgery supplement.
Some of the highlights:
Inclusive. – This year’s meeting has a theme: The Vascular Team: Partners in Patient Care. Every member of the vascular team – surgeons, nurses, nurse practitioners, PAs – will find a reason to attend.
The meeting provides programming across all practice settings with an even stronger focus on practical, take-home information for all.
View Dr. Darling’s “wicked awesome” Welcome to VAM18 video
The Society for Vascular Nursing’s annual meeting will be in the same location June 20-21. Registration for the SVN meeting includes access to VAM.
This year, the newly established membership section for vascular PAs will present PA-focused education. Within just the past few months, more than 130 PAs joined SVS and many are expected to be at VAM.
An Intuitive Planner - VAM18 meeting will see a new online program planner that allows attendees to filter by session type, areas of interest, faculty, and more. Attendees can favorite a session to build their own meeting schedule. The online planner will sync with the new meeting mobile app, so that attendees can carry their schedule with them. The mobile app will be available through the SVS store in June.
Interactive sessions - Meeting organizers have added more opportunities for small group and audience interaction during and after sessions.
Industry’s best – This year’s Exhibit Hall will run for two days with longer hours each day than in previous years. It will feature the crowd-pleasing Vascular Live sessions each day, as well as exhibits showing off innovative devices and offering a chance to chat one-on-one with company representatives. To add to the festivities, a scavenger hunt will foster interaction.
Familiar favorites will be back – workshops, postgraduate courses, international sessions, posters, collaborative events with other societies and many, many chances to network and catch up with old friends. The essential VAM on Demand post-meeting slides, audio and video will help members revisit VAM anytime.
Learn more about the 2018 VAM here: All about VAM18
Five things to do around the convention center at CHEST 2018
Planning to attend CHEST 2018? We know you’re always on the go, so we’ve come up with a few quick things to do in San Antonio without having to go more than a few blocks outside of the convention center.
Whataburger
While some may be hardcore In-N-Out fans, there’s another well known burger joint in Texas with a location that happens to be next to the convention center on E Commerce St. Head on over to Whataburger and experience what the company calls a “bigger, better burger.”
San Antonio Riverwalk
Want to experience the San Antonio, Texas atmosphere but don’t have time for a long excursion? The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is a few steps away from the Riverwalk, which winds throughout the city. Off of the northwest corner of the convention center, take a stroll and experience the picturesque beauty of the San Antonio river, the restaurants, and the bright colorful surroundings.
La Villita Historic Arts Village
Interested in art? Interested in architecture? La Villita, located on the west side of the convention center on S Alamo St, is on the US government’s National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District. Take a look at different architectural styles, like adobe, early Victorian, and Texas vernacular limestone buildings. You’ll find markers throughout La Villita with information about each building’s history. You’ll also find local artists, custom art, and unique dining options.
Tower of the Americas
Exit the south end of the convention center to go to the Tower of the Americas for a spectacular view of the city. This 750-foot tall tower has an observation deck, revolving restaurant with panoramic views, a stationary bar, and a 4D theater adventure ride great for the whole family. This is a great stop for lunch, dinner, or a nice afternoon activity.
The Alamo
Lastly, if you have an hour to spare, take a tour of the Alamo that commemorates the 1836 siege and battle. There are free and ticketed activities, including audio or guided tours (ticketed) or history talks, visiting the Alamo Church, exhibitions, and more! Don’t forget to stop at the gift shop for a souvenir or two to take home.
Planning to attend CHEST 2018? We know you’re always on the go, so we’ve come up with a few quick things to do in San Antonio without having to go more than a few blocks outside of the convention center.
Whataburger
While some may be hardcore In-N-Out fans, there’s another well known burger joint in Texas with a location that happens to be next to the convention center on E Commerce St. Head on over to Whataburger and experience what the company calls a “bigger, better burger.”
San Antonio Riverwalk
Want to experience the San Antonio, Texas atmosphere but don’t have time for a long excursion? The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is a few steps away from the Riverwalk, which winds throughout the city. Off of the northwest corner of the convention center, take a stroll and experience the picturesque beauty of the San Antonio river, the restaurants, and the bright colorful surroundings.
La Villita Historic Arts Village
Interested in art? Interested in architecture? La Villita, located on the west side of the convention center on S Alamo St, is on the US government’s National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District. Take a look at different architectural styles, like adobe, early Victorian, and Texas vernacular limestone buildings. You’ll find markers throughout La Villita with information about each building’s history. You’ll also find local artists, custom art, and unique dining options.
Tower of the Americas
Exit the south end of the convention center to go to the Tower of the Americas for a spectacular view of the city. This 750-foot tall tower has an observation deck, revolving restaurant with panoramic views, a stationary bar, and a 4D theater adventure ride great for the whole family. This is a great stop for lunch, dinner, or a nice afternoon activity.
The Alamo
Lastly, if you have an hour to spare, take a tour of the Alamo that commemorates the 1836 siege and battle. There are free and ticketed activities, including audio or guided tours (ticketed) or history talks, visiting the Alamo Church, exhibitions, and more! Don’t forget to stop at the gift shop for a souvenir or two to take home.
Planning to attend CHEST 2018? We know you’re always on the go, so we’ve come up with a few quick things to do in San Antonio without having to go more than a few blocks outside of the convention center.
Whataburger
While some may be hardcore In-N-Out fans, there’s another well known burger joint in Texas with a location that happens to be next to the convention center on E Commerce St. Head on over to Whataburger and experience what the company calls a “bigger, better burger.”
San Antonio Riverwalk
Want to experience the San Antonio, Texas atmosphere but don’t have time for a long excursion? The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is a few steps away from the Riverwalk, which winds throughout the city. Off of the northwest corner of the convention center, take a stroll and experience the picturesque beauty of the San Antonio river, the restaurants, and the bright colorful surroundings.
La Villita Historic Arts Village
Interested in art? Interested in architecture? La Villita, located on the west side of the convention center on S Alamo St, is on the US government’s National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District. Take a look at different architectural styles, like adobe, early Victorian, and Texas vernacular limestone buildings. You’ll find markers throughout La Villita with information about each building’s history. You’ll also find local artists, custom art, and unique dining options.
Tower of the Americas
Exit the south end of the convention center to go to the Tower of the Americas for a spectacular view of the city. This 750-foot tall tower has an observation deck, revolving restaurant with panoramic views, a stationary bar, and a 4D theater adventure ride great for the whole family. This is a great stop for lunch, dinner, or a nice afternoon activity.
The Alamo
Lastly, if you have an hour to spare, take a tour of the Alamo that commemorates the 1836 siege and battle. There are free and ticketed activities, including audio or guided tours (ticketed) or history talks, visiting the Alamo Church, exhibitions, and more! Don’t forget to stop at the gift shop for a souvenir or two to take home.