A Gastroenterologist Is One of the Highest Paid Medical Doctors

A gastroenterologist in Maryland is a medical doctor who has advanced training in all disorders of the digestive system. A GE (gastroenterologist) commonly treats people who suffer with constipation, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, vomiting, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and unexplained weight loss. This is a very specialized field of medicine and it takes many years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to become a successful practitioner.

GEs do a lot of diagnostic tests which include colon screening, intestinal and esophageal dilation, polypectomy, and hemostasis. These tests are necessary to establish the underlying cause diseases and disorders. Conditions that are commonly discovered are esophageal reflux, hiatal hernia, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, hepatitis, cancer, jaundice, gastritis, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, and polyps.

Gastroenterology is different to gastroenterological surgery which is a different medical specialty that involves rectal and colon surgery. GEs do not perform any surgery. Their work is limited to diagnosing and administering treatment. However, they do carry out procedures like liver biopsies and endoscopic examinations.

Most work in private practices or with other doctors in a group practice. Alternatively, they may seek employment in a clinic or hospital. They are assisted by nurses and other medical support staff. The hours are often irregular and long, and are likely to include some after-hours and weekend work. Those who work in hospitals are usually on a stand-by rotation system. While on standby, they are called out to attend to emergency cases.

Training for this profession is expensive and time-consuming. A medical school will only consider applicants who have at least 3 years of undergraduate work. Students with a Bachelors degree, or a more advanced degree, will stand a better chance of being admitted. It takes four years to complete medical school. The first 2 years are spent in classrooms and labs. The last 2 years are spent working at hospitals or clinics under the supervision of experienced GEs.

After successfully graduating from medical school, an aspirant gastroenterologist has to complete a 3 year residency before he or she can continue studying for a GE specialty. This is known as a fellowship and it takes 2 to 3 years of intensive study of the diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders. Before obtaining certification to practice, at least 13 years of formal classroom tuition and practical training must be completed.

Like any medical doctor, those who want to pursue this genre of medicine must have a genuine desire to help people who are sick. Because day-to-day work involves a lot of patient care, a compassionate bedside manner is necessary. Emotional stability is also essential because critical decisions have to be made. A GE will frequently find him or herself in emergency situations. To keep pace with new medical advances, those working in this profession are required to undertake continue learning programs. In the past 50 years, there have been major advances in this field.

A gastroenterologist in Maryland will be among the top earners in the medical industry. Those who have their own practices earn more that their salaried peers. Salaried GEs are paid according to their experience and reputation.