Gastroenterology
Gastroenterologists deal with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to the digestive system.the esophagus, stomach, gall bladder and biliary tract, liver, pancreas, and small and large intestines. Traditionally, a significant part of gastroenterology has involved the evaluation of psychosomatic complaints as they affect the gastrointestinal tract, but the introduction of fiberoptic peroral endoscopy and colonoscopy has changed the orientation of this specialty making it second only to interventional cardiology of the internal medicine subspecialties in procedural activities.
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Key Facts
Core Focus: Diseases of the digestive system
Number of Physicians: Moderate (~14,000)
Training Length: 3 years internal medicine + 3 years fellowship
Subspecialties: Hepatology, advanced endoscopy
Job Progression: Clinic lead, endoscopy director, researcher
Gender Distribution: 30% female, 70% male
Job Outlook: Growing
Work Environment: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, endoscopy centers
Patient Relationship: Long-term for chronic GI disorders
Schedule: Regular hours with on-call for GI bleeds
Common Procedures: Endoscopy, colonoscopy
Residency Length: 6 years
Fellowship Required: Yes
Average Annual Income: ~$513,000 - $538,000
Average Weekly Hours: 55 hours/week
Burnout Percentage: 45%
Match Competitiveness: High
Common Work Settings: Hospitals, GI clinics, endoscopy centers
❤️ Values and Personality Comparison
Gastroenterology Top Values
- Achievement
- Good income
- Independence
- Working with my hands
- Working with people
Gastroenterology Do Not Value
- Prestige
- Variety
🧠 Gastroenterology Personality Traits
- Like complex problem solving
- Have good listening skills / interested in listening
- Have trouble refusing requests
- Need to see tangible results of their efforts quickly
- Be achievers
- Prefer treatable illnesses
- Have manual dexterity
- Value time off
- Value independence highly
- Want a good income
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