Gastroenterology

Program Overview

The pediatric Gastroenterology fellowship program at Sidra Medicine is a 3-year ACGME-I accredited program. As the principal tertiary hospital for Qatar and the sole provider of multiple subspecialty services, Sidra Medicine offers excellent training and broad exposure to all aspects of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition. The program includes diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, as well as rotations in various Gastroenterology sub-specialties, both in-patient and out-patient (such as General GI clinics, IBD, hepatology, celiac disease, motility, and intestinal failure clinics). Fellows will receive training in a range of GI procedures, including endoscopies, video-capsule endoscopy, pH impedance, breath tests, anorectal manometry, and motility studies. The division also provides a multidisciplinary environment with weekly pediatric histopathology and radiology sessions. Fellows participate in multidisciplinary meetings with pediatric subspecialties, PICU, NICU, CCU, and general pediatrics, and have opportunities for research and quality improvement projects as part of their training in Pediatric gastroenterology.

Goals and Objectives

The program aims to develop clinical and technical skills, as well as knowledge and attitudes relevant to pediatric fellows in the field of gastroenterology. Upon completion of the training program, trainees will demonstrate competence in the following areas:

  • Knowledge:
    • Gastroenterology and hepatology: Includes the study of the digestive system, including the pancreas and liver, covering topics such as anatomy, embryology, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, genetics, pharmacology, endocrinology, metabolism, nutrition, microbiology, and psychiatry. Diagnostic procedures: Covers indications, interpretations, limitations, and complications.
    • Advances in the management of gastrointestinal disorders: Includes topics such as organ transplantation and therapeutic endoscopy.
    • Nutrition: Covers basic nutrition, nutritional assessment, physiology of starvation, metabolic consequences of critical illnesses, and principles and techniques of nutritional support.
  • Research:
    • Trainees will gain experience in basic and/or clinical research, including experimental design, statistics, data interpretation, oral and written presentation, research ethics, and grant application preparation
  • Conceptual Knowledge:
    • Trainees will develop the ability to perform a comprehensive history and physical examination, with a specific focus on the digestive system and its disorders. They will also learn effective communication and interaction with patients, families, and allied healthcare personnel.
  • Skills:
    • Evaluation and management of gastrointestinal emergencies: Covers conditions such as hemorrhage, abdominal pain, pancreatitis, and removal of foreign bodies.
    • Selection and interpretation of imaging techniques for the digestive system, pancreas, and liver. Performance and interpretation of tests commonly used in gastrointestinal function laboratories.
    • Performance and interpretation of tissue biopsies and endoscopic procedures of the gastrointestinal tract.
    • Competence in endoscopy, including recognizing abnormalities, understanding pathologic features, and performing therapeutic procedures safely and successfully in pediatric patients. Advanced endoscopic procedures may require additional training in adult endoscopy programs.
  • Attitudes: Trainees should demonstrate:
    • Empathy and compassion for patients and their families.
    • Concern for patient and family understanding of illnesses, investigations, and treatment. Consideration for the psychosocial aspects of patient illness. Respect and ability to work harmoniously with allied healthcare personnel. Recognition of the importance of self-assessment and continuing medical education in gastroenterology, as well as a willingness to teach others. Understanding and appreciation of the significance of research in advancing knowledge. Upon completion of the fellowship training, trainees are expected to become competent consultants in gastroenterology. They should have a strong foundation in general pediatrics and an understanding of the relationship between gastrointestinal diseases and other organ systems. Trainees should also be capable of teaching gastroenterology to students, trainees, and allied healthcare personnel.

Clinical Training and Key Rotations

During the 3-year training program, fellows will be trained by a pediatric gastroenterologist to manage in and out patient, attend, supervise, perform, and report procedures. They will gain exposure to all gastroenterology procedures, including outpatient, inpatient, and emergency services. Fellows will receive direct and indirect supervision and have numerous opportunities for mentorship. They will also be required to participate in quality improvement initiatives and research, with dedicated protected time each week. Additionally, they will have protected time for attending didactics and engaging in multi-disciplinary meetings. The program adheres to ACGME-I guidelines for duty hours.

Key Rotations
Pediatric GI in-patient service
Pediatric GI out-patient service
Endoscopic procedure
Motility lab
Research and quality
MDT
Electives

Entry Requirements

  • Completion of an ACGME-I accredited or equivalent residency training program in Pediatrics.
  • Board certification in core specialty (Pediatrics).
  • Hold a valid Medical License or be eligible for licensure in Qatar (click here for more details).

Contact Information