The Organization of the Speciality in Medical, Surgical, and Paediatric Gastroenterology: Working Group 1

Abstract

In 1986 the OMGE Education Committee conducted a survey of the requirements for speciality in medical and surgical gastroenterology. The results of these surveys were reported at the World Congress in São Paulo in 1986 and later published (1). The surveys showed many differences but also similarities between different countries. It is not very difficult to establish a ‘mean set of requirements’ for licence for the different specialities. It is, however, more difficult to identify a ‘mean organization’ of the practice of gastroenterology. There are major differences in the medical systems (public versus private) and reimbursement systems (fee for service versus fixed budget).