Training and certifying gastroenterologists as physician nutrition specialists

Because nutrition is an integral aspect of the science and practice of gastroenterology, all gastroenterology fellows should receive training in core aspects of nutrition (level 1 training). Some gastroenterologists also wish to train more extensively in nutrition (level 2) and become physician nutrition specialists. The Intersociety Professional Nutrition Education Consortium, composed of representatives from eight national societies with significant nutrition interests, including the American Gastroenterological Association, and three credentialing bodies, has developed a paradigm and training requirements for physician-nutrition specialists that recognizes their varied backgrounds and areas of interest. Opportunities exist for gastroenterology fellows to obtain physician nutrition specialist training within their gastroenterology fellowships and to be eligible to take the Certification Examination for Physician Nutrition Specialists offered by the new American Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists.* This article reviews the development of consensus on subspecialty training for physicians in nutrition; it also encourages directors of gastroenterology fellowships to develop training opportunities and gastroenterology fellows to consider identifying nutrition as an area of emphasis for their careers.