Overview of Gastroenterology
The specialty of gastroenterology and hepatology cares for patients with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. The specialty encompasses a wide range of conditions from frequent common disorders to highly specialised complex problems such as transplantation.
Common problems include indigestion, reflux, the irritable bowel and constipation. Much of the work is outpatient based, to exclude organic disease in the symptomatic patient. Investigations often include endoscopy and imaging. An acute inpatient service is needed for common problems such as gastrointestinal haemorrhage, jaundice and abdominal pain. More specialised units are required for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer at all sites, the management of peptic ulcer and reflux, small bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, disorders of the hepatobiliary tree and liver. A small number of units undertake organ transplantation, including transplantation of the liver and small intestine.
