This article appears in the March 2022 issue of the
PE GI Journal
A Q&A with the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) discuss supporting the GI industry in the next five years.
What are your top priorities for 2022 in supporting the GI industry?
ASGE: ASGE recently launched its next five-year strategic plan with clearly defined goals and nine strategic priorities. This plan identified priority areas for 2022, which include emphasis on enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion, exploring new education delivery models and curricula, and a focus on innovation.
What are the benefits of a membership with ASGE?
ASGE: We keep our members on the forefront of the latest practice information with extensive resources, and we provide state-of-the-art education and hands-on training to advance in their profession across their career span. With almost 15,000 members worldwide, ASGE provides a diverse community for members to build their networks and share information and learnings. We also offer a collective voice in influencing regulation and legislation that affect gastroenterologists.
Can you provide insight on ASGE’s activism in promoting screenings and preventive care and your overall involvement in the GI community?
ASGE: We have been the global leader in advancing the field of GI endoscopy for more than 80 years. We developed the highest standards for general and advanced gastrointestinal endoscopic practice and fostered research to encourage continuous innovation, with the ultimate goal of enhancing patient safety and quality of care. It is because of this commitment to patients that ASGE shares the message that colorectal cancer can be not just detected, but prevented with colonoscopy, through ValueOfColonoscopy.org.
Can you provide insight on the colonoscopy campaign you have running?
ASGE: We need to constantly remind the public about the importance of colorectal cancer screening and how this can prevent cancer and save lives. This message is more important than ever as people have delayed screening due to the pandemic. We want to amplify the message that routine screening is safe and that choosing the right screening method for your risk group is critical. The Value of Colonoscopy campaign is to raise awareness among primary care patients and the general public, equipping them with easy-to-understand and easy-to-use resources on the importance of early screening and the value of various screening methods for high-risk groups and in underserved communities. 
Learn more about ASGE at asge.org.
