It has been a while since we took a step back and introduced readers to our doctors’ education. Our gastroenterologists at Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida treat patients with a range of digestive health issues. Today, we will discuss how qualified gastro doctors are and the diseases they treat.
GI insight:
Gastroenterologists are physicians that treat diseases of the digestive tract. In order for these specialists to become specialized in the treatment and management of these conditions, a GI, or gastroenterologist, must complete extensive schooling.
A gastro doctor, or GI, must successfully undergo training in internal medicine. To further there education, they must also undergo more advanced training in the treatment of digestive tract issues. Gastroenterologists are specialists.
Before a GI becomes the point of contact for a patient with digestive issues, they must go to their primary care doctor for a referral. This is not always the case, but it is most common. A family doctor, primary care doctor, or internist can give you a referral to see our doctors.
GIs are very crucial in order to maintain many people’s quality of life. The relationship between gastroenterologists and their patient is a personal and tailored one. This is true for people with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, along with patients with other serious conditions.
For the first visit to a GI, it may feel uncomfortable discussing such personal matters. New patient visit may feel awkward and embarrassing. Bowel movements is an important topic to discuss.
Patients may feel the need to keep details or issues to themselves, but our specialists make patients feel at ease and hopeful for relief. However, it is dire to be as honest as possible as a patient in order to receive the best, thorough care.
When to see a GI:
For those with IBD, a gastroenterologist is their doctor that will provide the most care. They will get most of their medications and assistance through the GI. A helpful gastroenterologist will put together the right team for your overall digestive health care.
For anyone feeling issues in their “stomach”, or abdominal, area, seeking a GI’s medical attention is necessary. Our specialists have years of experience like many GIs. The doctors at our office offer invaluable insight to digestive health issues.
Digestive disease tend to be complex and may not look or feel like any other patient’s set of symptoms. This is why experience coming from a specialist is key. For example, those patients with IBD may have a nearby IBD center with gastroenterologists specializing in IBD information, guidelines, and research.
Your Gastroenterologist’s education:
Like others, our gastroenterologists have completed a four-year undergraduate college degree. Next, they completed four years of medical school. At that time, the doctors earned their medical degrees and could seek licensing.
Their next step in becoming a GI was completing a three-year residency in internal medicine. Once this is all done, a GI may elect to continue on to a specialty in gastroenterology. To prepare for situations seen in an office or hospital setting, a fellowship is completed.
This takes two to three years to complete. During these years, a physician learns how to evaluate patients and manage digestive diseases. This is the time physicians are given instructions on how to perform diagnostic endoscopy procedures. An example would be a colonoscopy.
At this point in time of a physician’s life, they may choose to further specialize. Some doctors elect to only treat certain problems such as IBD, cholorectolral cancer, or liver diseases. A gastroenterologist that is certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery may treat patients with a lengthy list of conditions.
Make an appointment to see our physicians at Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. Thank you for stopping by, and come back next week to continue the discussion. Have a great week!
Staff Writer