14 WORLD GASTROENTEROLOGY NEWS APRIL 2015 Editorial | Expert Point of View | Gastro 2015: AGW/WGO | WDHD News | WGO & WGOF News | WGO Global Guidelines | Calendar of Events standards. In addition, the Organisation – assisted by member societies – facilitates the provision of educational material and expert faculty who can assist in the delivery of educational activities. Does WGO have an assessment procedure in place for its various outreach programmes to ensure consistency regarding the effectiveness of its gastroenterology training? We have developed an electronic data collecting system which allows us to track the effectiveness of our various initiatives. The reporting system permits communication between trainees and the central administration. An education expert will be engaged to evaluate the data objectively as the database is further populated over the coming years. What are the most prevalent digestive disorders in the North American region and in other developed nations? While access to high-quality healthcare is not a major issue in developed nations, access to appropriate healthcare in a timely and cost-effective manner is important. Common gastroenterological conditions in developed nations include irritable bowel syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (which is currently at epidemic levels, associated with the global obesity crisis), colon cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. WGO produces regularly updated clinical guidelines that are evidence based and practical to assist clinicians in the management of these disorders. Furthermore, our biennial world congresses offer a forum for updates on all gastroenterological issues, whether they be relevant to the developed or developing world. Indeed, it is the only congress that achieves such a mix of clinical updates that are relevant to the world at large. We in the developed world can and do learn a lot from our colleagues in the developing world, as their experiences can, and often are, very relevant to First World medicine. How do WGO’s Global Guidelines help healthcare professionals in their treatment practice decisions for digestive disorders? The WGO Guidelines are unique. They are structured on a system known as ‘Cascades’, meaning they are written in a manner that provides different options for diagnosis and treatment depending on the resources available. The Guidelines are freely available on the WGO website in six different languages and updated regularly. We know that they are downloaded frequently and, as a RAISING AWARENESS AND BUILDING BRIDGES Alongside training and education, WGO facilitates important events intended to provide a platform for bringing important gastroenterological issues to the forefront of the public’s consciousness, as well as improving communication among healthcare professionals in the field, as Professor James Toouli illuminates World Digestive Health Day “WGO’s annual global public health campaign – World Digestive Health Day – is a great success story for the Organizaton. The programme was initiated approximately six years ago, and each year we focus on a different gastrointestinal disease in order to highlight it to the population at large and also educate people on the best available means of diagnosis and treatment. This year, over 50 of our member societies celebrated World Digestive Health Day, which concentrated on the role of bacteria and other microbes in the gut, ie. their beneficial role as well as the role they may play in gastrointestinal diseases. Gastrointestinal diseases do not generate as much public attention as other areas of medicine such as breast cancer or heart disease. However, by celebrating an awareness day globally, we believe that this can change so that the population at large may become conscious of health issues which impact on their wellbeing.” Gastro 2015 “Gastro 2015, taking place in Brisbane from 28 September to 2 October, marks a change for WGO in that we are going into partnership with one of our member societies. Furthermore, these congresses shall now take place every two years; previously we met every four years. The congress is the only global gastroenterology event and consequently encompasses topics that are relevant to gastroenterologists and healthcare professionals both from developed and developing nations. Hence, the programme reflects healthcare issues that affect all of these nations. In addition, at each world congress new clinical guidelines are discussed and then disseminated to healthcare professionals globally. Advances and changes in education techniques are also highlighted, thus enhancing the WGO’s activities. Finally, with 5,000 attendees expected, it is the best opportunity for gastroenterologists and related healthcare professionals from all over the world to network.”
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