A97 Internal Medicine Resident and Staff Perceptions of Gastroenterology Rotation

Background The choice of subspecialty by internal medicine residents is partially influenced by their experience with that service. Challenges exist between internal medicine and the high acuity, procedurally-heavy, gastroenterology (GI) service. Negative perceptions may limit the number of residents rotating through a gastroenterology elective, impacting knowledge and comfort managing common GI conditions. Aims To identify misperceptions of the GI service at a tertiary hospital, and evaluate resident and new staff comfort in managing common GI conditions. Methods Twenty-question survey sent to internal medicine residents during 2022-2023 and 13-question survey sent to staff that completed training from 2020-2022; both anonymous, and using Qualtrics software. Results The survey was completed by 18% (30/166) of residents and 20% (13/65) of staff. Most staff (62%) practiced in a community setting. Both cohorts cited overnight cross-coverage consults during (56%) and negative word-of mouth (38%), as reasons they avoided a GI elective. Most participants reported a little (33%) or moderate (47%) amount of GI teaching on medicine service and were unaware of formal lectures (79%) during a GI rotation. Residents and staff were most comfortable managing pancreatitis (98%) and ALF (74%). Staff wished for more experience managing pancreatic and liver masses and outpatient IBD flares; however both groups (86%) were unaware of the ambulatory week during the GI rotation. Conclusions Misperception and unawareness of a GI elective persist amongst internal medicine residents and has implications for new staff managing GI conditions. This study has led to action items that address these concerns.