Dear GI Program Directors and GI Fellows:
The GI Program Directors’ Caucus* is pleased to bring this web-based, standardized curriculum in Nutrition and Obesity, one of the core areas in the national Gastroenterology Core Curriculum, to you. The structure is an optional multi-modal program your training site may choose to adopt, either as a primary or supplemental means, to teach and provide assessment in this area. The curriculum is broken down into subsections with links to peer reviewed articles by nutrition and disease experts, supplemented with instructional videos and lectures led by national experts. The educational value of this content is further expanded by use of a pre- and post-test assessment, which is being tracked longitudinally.
As you navigate through this website, you will find highlighted topics which provide a framework for achieving basic medical knowledge competence in the following areas (as defined by the Gastroenterology Core Curriculum):
Basic Nutritional Principles
General Nutrition Concepts
Nutritional Assessment
Malnutrition and Stress States
Micronutrients and Deficiencies
Nutrition Principles Associated with Specific Clinical Conditions
Nutritional Complications
Dietary Therapies
Obesity and Weight Management
Lifestyle Management
Pharmacotherapy
Endobariatrics and Bariatric Surgery
Nutrition Support
Enteral Nutrition
Parenteral Nutrition
Ethical Issues
A section on care coordination with the GI Dietitian is also provided.
Finally, a link to case-based learning modules is included and can be completed after reviewing the material of the entire curriculum or each section.
Links to most of the articles are through PubMed; for other sources, copyright permission was obtained. Access was vetted through the Dept. of Library sciences at the University of Rochester Medical Center, where the module was developed.
It is suggested that this module optimally be completed as a two week elective; in that event, it is highly recommended that the fellow supplement didactic activities with clinical and endoscopic experiences via local institution Nutrition Support Services, Dietitian Services, and Obesity and Nutrition Clinics. If these experiences are not available, external rotation opportunities can also be pursued for those seeking out more comprehensive training.
Acknowledgements:
Acknowledgements for the creation of the original module are given to Dr. Rene Rivera (GI fellow, class of 2012, University of Rochester, and Nutrition fellow, Cleveland Clinic, 2007-09), and we are deeply appreciative of his enthusiasm, intelligence, and creative passion. Revisions, incorporation of reviewer feedback, updates and other administrative functions are additionally credited to Dr. Donald N. Tsynman (GI fellow, class of 2014, University of Rochester), whose hard work brought this module to the finish line. Beta testing of the module is credited to University of Rochester GI fellows, classes 2012-2015. Our deepest appreciation is additionally extended in particular for the input of nutrition support experts, Rosemarie Fisher MD (Yale), Teresa O'Sullivan, PharmD (University of Washington), and Robert Dechicco RD (Cleveland Clinic). In addition, we acknowledge Carolyn Newberry MD, Director of GI Nutrition at the Innovative Center for Health and Nutrition in Gastroenterology (ICHANGE) at Weill Cornell Medial College, Janese Laster, MD, founder of Gut Theory, a comprehensive GI obesity practice located in Washington DC, Jamie Berring MD, GI nutrition specialist at Mayo Clinic Phoenix, and Tamara Duker MS, RD, CDN, a New York City-based GI dietitian, for their contributions to this curriculum, namely the pre- and post-tests and lectured slideshow and video educational content.
*The GI Program Directors’ Caucus provides representation for the roughly 160 allopathic GI Fellowship training programs in the United States and Puerto Rico. The caucus is recognized and supported by our 4 professional societies and colleges, and functions to interface between training programs and the education and training committees of the American Gastroenterological Association, the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
Please feel free to provide ongoing feedback on the modules.
Sincerely,
Arthur J. DeCross, MD, AGAF
Professor of Medicine
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University of Rochester Medical Center
Brandon Sprung, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Associate Program Director, GI fellowship program
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University of Rochester Medical Center
Danielle Marino, MD, AGAF
Associate Professor of Medicine
Program Director, GI fellowship program
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University of Rochester Medical Center
Carolyn Newberry, MD, PNS
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Director, GI Nutrition, Innovative Center for Health and Nutrition in Gastroenterology
Division of Gastroenterology
Weill Cornell Medical Center