Training in Specific Gastrointestinal Disorders

General requirements

In each disorder of the gastrointestinal tract the trainees should acquire knowledge in the anatomy, physiology, and development of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver and pancreas. They should understand the pathophysiology, natural history, epidemiology, symptomatic presentations, complications of different disorders and the association of gastrointestinal disorders with congenital and metabolic disorders that occur solely in childhood.

The diagnosis, differential diagnosis of diseases, indications, contraindications, benefits, costs, limitations, and interpretations of diagnostic approaches are an integral part of the curriculum. The trainee should become competent in the medical therapeutic options for diseases, the pharmacology, efficacy, adverse reactions, interactions, and contraindications of the drugs used, in prescribing appropriate pharmacotherapy in children, which includes understanding the effects of body weight, body surface area, and age on drug dosage.

They will understand the role of surgery in treatment, including the various surgical approaches, risks, benefits and short-term and long-term complications of surgical therapy.