Gastrointestinal physiology concerns any part of the digestive tract from the oesophagus to the anus and also of the liver, biliary tract and the pancreas.
As a healthcare scientist working in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology, you’ll specialise in the study of GI function and disease.
Working life
You’ll use various highly technical, mechanical and electronic instruments to measure various parameters within the digestive tract.
Working in GI physiology the parameters you'll be measuring will include:
You might also:
- use ultrasound of the anal canal and rectum
- undertake 'biofeedback' therapy with patients who have pelvic floor dysfunction
- treat patients with faecal and urinary incontinence using percutaneous tibial nerve neuromodulation (PTNS)
The results of all of these investigations will contribute to the care pathway of patients who may have primary swallowing disorders, severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or disorders of the gut function, notably faecal incontinence or constipation or both.
Depending on the diagnosis of these tests and measurements, patients will then be offered appropriate treatment which might include medication or surgery.
Who will I work with?
You’re likely to work in a team that includes gastroenterologists (doctors specialising in gastroenterology), colorectal surgeons, dietitians and specialist nurses.
Want to learnmore?
- Find out more about the entry requirements,skills and interests required to enter a career in gastrointestinal physiology.
- Find out more about the training you’ll receive for a career in gastrointestinal physiology.
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Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers.Trainee clinical scientists train at band 6 level, and qualified clinical scientists are generally appointed at band 7. With experience and further qualifications, including Higher Specialist Scientist Training, you could apply for posts up to band 9.
Staff will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. They may work a shift pattern.
Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
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With further training or experience or both, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for vacancies in areas such as further specialisation, management, research, or teaching.
Healthcare science staff often work at the forefront of research and innovation, so that patients are continually receiving the very best healthcare. For example, in gastrointestinal physiology, you might be researching symptoms and causes of different types of reflux amongst patients.
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Job market
InNovember 2018, there were 6,123 clinical scientists registered with theHealth and Care Professions Council.
The NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) and Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) attract many more applicants than there are places and so there is considerable competition for places.
Finding and applying for jobs
When you’re looking for job or apprenticeship vacancies, there are a number of sources you can use, depending on the type of work you’re seeking.
Check vacancies carefully to be sure you can meet the requirements of the person specification before applying and to find out what the application process is. You may need to apply online or send a CV for example.
For the STP and HSST, there is an annual recruitment cycle and applications should be made through the National School of Healthcare Science's website, where you can also find information about the programmes and the recruitment process.
Vacancies in organisations delivering NHS healthcare can be found on the NHS Jobs website.
You may also find suitable vacancies in the health sector by contacting local employers directly and by searching in local newspapers.
Find out more about applications and interviews.
Volunteering is an excellent way of gaining experience (especially if you don’t have enough for a specific paid job you’re interested in) and also seeing whether you’re suited to a particular type of work. It’s also a great way to boost your confidence and you can give something back to the community.
Find out more about volunteering and gaining experience.
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For further information about a career in gastrointestinal physiology, please contact:
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Other roles that may interest you
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical bioinformatics health informatics
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FAQs
The GI tract is composed of the alimentary canal, that runs from the mouth to the anus, as well as the associated glands, chemicals, hormones, and enzymes that assist in digestion. The major processes that occur in the GI tract are: motility, secretion, regulation, digestion and circulation.
What are the key points of the gastrointestinal system? ›
The gastrointestinal system includes the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. It also includes the salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, which make digestive juices and enzymes that help the body digest food and liquids.
What are the main functions of the gastrointestinal system quizlet? ›
The main roles of the organs of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are to break food down into its smallest components, absorb the nutrients, and eliminate the remaining wastes. The main organs of the GI tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
What is the basic physiology of the stomach? ›
Your stomach is a muscular organ that digests food. It is part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. When your stomach receives food, it contracts and produces acids and enzymes that break down food. When your stomach has broken down food, it passes it to your small intestine.
What are the 5 physiological functions of the GI system? ›
The main functions of the GI system include ingestion and digestion of food, nutrient absorption, secretion of water and enzymes, and excretion of waste products.
What is the primary function of the gastrointestinal? ›
The principal functions of the gastrointestinal tract are to digest and absorb ingested nutrients, and to excrete waste products of digestion. Most nutrients are ingested in a form that is either too complex for absorption or insoluble, and therefore, indigestible or incapable of being digested.
What is the main organ of the gastrointestinal system? ›
The main organs that make up your digestive system are the organs known as your gastrointestinal tract. They are: your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus. Assisting your GI organs along the way are your pancreas, gallbladder and liver.
What are the four major activities of the gastrointestinal system? ›
The primary functions of the GI tract are digestion, absorption, excretion, and protection. These functions are achieved through a series of organs with distinct roles from mouth to anus.
What is the physiology of the digestion? ›
Digestion is the process of mechanically and enzymatically breaking down food into substances for absorption into the bloodstream. The food contains 3 macronutrients that require digestion before they can be absorbed: fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
How to improve digestion? ›
Here's a tummy friendly diet to aim for.
- Fill up on fibre to prevent constipation. ...
- Drink plenty of fluids to aid digestion. ...
- Cut down on fat for a healthy gut. ...
- Go easy on spice to avoid tummy troubles. ...
- Beware gut symptom triggers. ...
- Choose the right drinks to ease digestion. ...
- Probiotics.
The digestive system converts the foods we eat into their simplest forms, like glucose (sugars), amino acids (that make up protein) or fatty acids (that make up fats). The broken-down food is then absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine and the nutrients are carried to each cell in the body.
What are the four major tasks of the digestive system? ›
What Is the Digestive System? Motility, digestion, absorption and secretion are the four vital functions of the digestive system.
What is the primary role of the digestive system? ›
The digestive system breaks down food into simple nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins. These can then be absorbed into your blood, so your body can use them for energy, growth and repair. Anything that isn't used is waste, and leaves the body as faeces (poo).
What is the physiological process of the digestive system? ›
The digestive system ingests and digests food, absorbs released nutrients, and excretes food components that are indigestible. The six activities involved in this process are ingestion, motility, mechanical digestion, chemical digestion, absorption, and defecation.
What is the gastrointestinal system teach me physiology? ›
The gastrointestinal tract is made up of a series of hollow organs joined together in a long tube with many folds from the mouth to the anus. The hollow organs that make up the gastrointestinal tract include the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, cecum, colon (large intestine), rectum and anal canal.
What is intestinal physiological function? ›
The intestines are responsible for breaking food down, absorbing its nutrients and solidifying the waste. The small intestine is the longest part of the GI tract, and it is where most of your digestion takes place.
What is the general physiology of digestion? ›
Digestion is a form of catabolism or breaking down of substances that involves 2 separate processes: mechanical digestion and chemical digestion. Mechanical digestion involves physically breaking down food substances into smaller particles to more efficiently undergo chemical digestion.
