Mohammad Al-Haddad, MD, a spokesperson for AGA and a gastroenterologist who is Director of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine, discussed the importance of the practice management review in an interview with GI & Hepatology News.
Why is this research important?
Dr. Al-Haddad: While demand for endoscopic procedures is rising, there is a scarcity of published, evidence-based strategies on how to optimize endoscopy unit scheduling and throughput at this day and age. Existing guidance is often conceptual and lacks quantitative support. This study fills that gap by moving beyond theory to report and measure the real-world implementation and outcomes of two pragmatic interventions at a large academic center, providing a needed model for others.
What are the potential clinical implications of the research?
Dr. Al-Haddad: By streamlining scheduling and reducing last-minute unfilled slots, these strategies directly improve patient access to timely diagnostic and preventive care, such as colorectal cancer screening. Standardizing antithrombotic management enhances patient safety and reduces care variability. Furthermore, maximizing unit utilization helps practices maintain financial viability amid shrinking reimbursements, which is essential for sustaining clinical services and potentially expanding access in underserved areas.
What additional research may be needed?
Dr. Al-Haddad: While this single-center study demonstrates proof of concept, multicenter studies are needed to validate these interventions across diverse practice settings (e.g., private practice, community hospitals). Research could also quantify the long-term financial impact of adding a dedicated scheduler versus the revenue from additional procedures. Finally, more investigation is needed into technology-driven solutions (e.g., advanced algorithms for dynamic scheduling, and use of artificial intelligence) to further optimize efficiency beyond the manual "chaos scheduler" model.
Is there anything else you'd like to say about this work?
Dr. Al-Haddad: This work is a compelling example of how systems-level thinking and relatively modest workflow changes can yield disproportionate benefits in healthcare delivery. It underscores that improving access and efficiency isn't solely about major technological or financial investments, but often about intelligently redesigning processes and roles. The study provides a practical, adaptable blueprint for endoscopy units nationwide to enhance their operations, ultimately serving more patients effectively and safely.
Dr. Al-Haddad reported having no conflicts of interests to declare.
