ACG Task Force Publishes Report on Strengthening the GI Workforce
Report outlines potential strategies to bolster the physician pipeline, protect anesthesia access, and support the growing role of advanced practice providers
Today, ACG’s Workforce of the Future Task Force published its final report, a comprehensive set of recommendations for the College to consider in support of a sustainable gastroenterology workforce. The report, published in a supplement of The American Journal of Gastroenterology, addresses three areas central to the specialty’s workforce: the physician pipeline, anesthesia support for endoscopy, and advanced practice provider (APP) recruitment and retention.
Originally convened in 2025 by then-ACG President Amy Oxentenko, MD, MACG, the Task Force’s charge was to identify a range of solutions to ensure ACG’s actions and communications support the GI workforce through the coming years and beyond. Their findings draw on the latest data and firsthand accounts from ACG members across private practice, academic, and hybrid settings.
“Calls to address GI workforce challenges have grown increasingly urgent, and ACG wanted to meet that call with a coordinated and proactive strategy,” said Dr. Oxentenko. “This report establishes a clear picture of where the workforce is headed, challenges we expect to face, and a real foundation for deciding how to act on it.”
One of the key takeaways is that the latest federal government data suggest a nationwide near adequacy (98%) of GI physicians in the U.S. in 2026, but a clear maldistribution of that workforce. The government estimates a severe GI physician shortage (25%) in non-metropolitan counties, but perhaps contrary to other data sources and anecdotal ACG member experiences, a mild oversupply (109%) in metropolitan counties, and expects little change by 2038.
In addition, important conclusions from the three dedicated workgroups include:
- Physician Workforce: Government data and projections may not fully account for certain factors that could shape actual physician supply by 2038, including non-invasive colon cancer screening, practice ownership structure, and workforce attrition driven by burnout, among others. Either way, the group concludes, mitigating the geographic inequity will likely require federal and state policies and incentives, rather than simply increasing the number of fellowship training positions.
- Anesthesia Needs: The current procedural sedation landscape in GI is increasingly unsustainable due to rising reliance on propofol-based monitored sedation and the growing demand for anesthesia providers, who are also facing their own workforce challenges. However, regulatory restrictions, the reimbursement landscape, and GI physician and trainee education and comfort with administration of moderate sedation all pose significant barriers — and opportunities.
- Advanced Practice Providers: Demand for APPs to help fill workforce and care delivery gaps continues to rise. Effective onboarding and long-term integration of APPs in GI require structured training, standardized GI-specific core competencies, retention strategies, and clear, state-compliant job descriptions.
The full report reflects the breadth of opportunity the Task Force identified, even as ACG continues to evaluate which recommendations to pursue. Read more at bit.ly/acg-workforce-report.
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