A gastroenterologist is a medical professional who specializes in diseases and conditions that affect the digestive organs and structures.

These parts of the body include the:

• esophagus, or food pipe
• stomach
• small intestine
• colon
• rectum
• pancreas
• gallbladder
• bile ducts
• liver

To become a gastroenterologist, a doctor must complete a 3 year internal medicine residency after medical school. Following this residency, they will undertake 2–3 years of intense, specialized training called a fellowship.

Once they become qualified, gastroenterologists often work closely with other healthcare professionals to provide care to a wide range of people.

A gastroenterologist may work with:

• hepatologists, who specialize in the liver
• radiologists, who specialize in imaging
• oncologists, who specialize in cancer