Published online Feb 7, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i5.1729
Peer-review started: May 20, 2015
First decision: July 20, 2015
Revised: July 29, 2015
Accepted: November 19, 2015
Article in press: November 19, 2015
Published online: February 7, 2016
Processing time: 246 Days and 22.1 Hours
Gastroenterology (GE) used to be considered a subspecialty of internal medicine. Today, GE is generally recognized as a wide-ranging specialty incorporating capacities, such as hepatology, oncology and interventional endoscopy, necessitating GE-expert differentiation. Although the European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology has defined specific expertise areas in Advanced endoscopy, hepatology, digestive oncology and clinical nutrition, training for the latter topic is lacking in the current hepatogastroenterology (HGE) curriculum. Given its relevance for HGE practice, and being at the core of gastrointestinal functioning, there is an obvious need for training in nutrition and related issues including the treatment of disease-related malnutrition and obesity and its associated metabolic derangements. This document aims to be a starting point for the integration of nutritional expertise in the HGE curriculum, allowing a central role in the management of malnutrition and obesity. We suggest minimum endpoints for nutritional knowledge and expertise in the standard curriculum and recommend a focus period of training in nutrition issues in order to produce well-trained HGE specialists. This article provides a road map for the organization of such a training program. We would highly welcome the World Gastroenterology Organisation, the European Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the American Gastroenterology Association and other (inter)national Gastroenterology societies support the necessary certifications for this item in the HGE-curriculum.
Core tip: There is a need for training in nutrition and nutrition related issues because it lies at the core of gastrointestinal functioning and is very relevant to hepatogastroenterology (HGE) practice. At the moment there is no defined standardised nutrition curriculum this document aims to be a starting point for the integration of nutritional expertise in the HGE curriculum.