What is the landscape of gastroenterology in India?
The endoscopy landscape in India has rapidly expanded in recent years. There is an increasing interest and preference among young physicians to take up gastroenterology fellowships, thus adding to the pool of endoscopists and to the available workforce. With a fair proportion of trainees focused on subsections of endoscopy (e.g., EUS, third-space, ERCP or enteroscopy), patient access to GI endoscopy experts has increased. More than ever, Indian gastroenterologists/endoscopists are willing to travel to interior parts of the country, thus supporting the local health care needs of those patients who are not able or willing to travel to big cities. Indian gastroenterologists routinely encounter limited resources, which becomes challenging to their efforts. India has a large population with many GI-related disorders. The scarcity of both manpower and materials poses a tremendous burden. Indian GI doctors are continually innovating and prioritizing according to local needs.
Many Indian gastroenterologists, in their clinical practice, handle the “total” subject, either solo or in a group practice. More recently, “gastro groups” are coming up where gastro-physicians, including endoscopists, with an interest in subspecialties join hands and collaborate to cover the entire gamut of subjects.
What is your advice to young gastroenterologists in India?
Acquire and share knowledge with your peers. Find your own area of interest(s) and pursue it. And contribute to the social cause for those who cannot afford care.
Why did you join ASGE?
It is a privilege to be an ASGE member. It allows me to collaborate, improve standards of care and contribute to bettering the international reach of ASGE.
ASGE is a premier, well-organized endoscopic organization that has a team of experts across the field of endoscopy, along with the best resources. It helps in teaching novices, upgrading the skills of performers and, importantly, supporting knowledge-sharing programs around the globe.
How did you obtain your FASGE?
Being a member of ASGE for five years makes one eligible for prestigious FASGE. And if one has made a fair name in the endoscopy field, the acceptance process becomes easy. I was no different and approached my mentors (D Nageshwar Reddy, Todd Baron) in the society who readily agreed to support my candidature.