Clinical Training Programs

IBD Preceptorship

Application Process Complete. Check this site for future updates.

Visiting Fellow Program

Application Process Complete.  Check this site for future updates.

Overview: Professional Education Programs

For almost 40 years, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) has supported research grant programs to develop and encourage the best and brightest researchers. Now, CCFA wants to develop and encourage the best and brightest clinical physicians who have an extensive understanding of how to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Regarding the current state of IBD care today, CCFA acknowledges that:

• Training in IBD requires specialized exposure and resources.
• There is currently a shortage of gastroenterologists with specialty training in IBD.
• IBD continues to advance in complexity of diagnostic and therapeutic options.
• In the absence of concentrated exposure to a complicated subspecialty like IBD, gastroenterologists are more likely to focus on other areas of specialty practice.
• Most generalist GI doctors are ill-prepared to confidently care for IBD patients.

To address these educational and training needs, CCFA has created the CCFA National Preceptorship Program and the CCFA National One Month Visiting IBD Fellow Program. These programs were developed to achieve specific long-range outcomes:

• Better IBD care for all patients regardless of geography or economics.
• Expand and enhance the role of the CCFA in IBD training nationwide.
• Promote a new and larger generation of highly trained clinical IBD doctors.

Overview: CCFA IBD Preceptorship Program

The preceptorship program accepts qualified community gastroenterologists for a three-day visit to a leadng IBD center. Expenses are covered by CCFA. Through participation in IBD Clinics, inpatient services, lectures and conferences, this program seeks to:

• Deliver highly skilled IBD training to a wide range of GI doctors regardless of previous experience or current treatment approach.
• Provide stimulus and opportunity for interested GI doctors to better develop their skills in IBD.
• Expose private practice GI doctors to clinical practices employed at leading IBD centers
• Share evidence-based and expert opinion-based approaches to the diagnosis, treatment and management of IBD.

View more information on IBD Preceptorship program

The initial pilot program was funded by an educational grant from Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals.

Overview: CCFA Visiting Fellow Program

The Visiting IBD Fellow program accepts qualified gastroenterology fellows for a one month rotation at a leading IBD center. Expenses are covered by CCFA. Through hands-on exposure in treating and managing IBD patients, this program seeks to:

• Deliver highly skilled IBD training to a wide range of GI fellows regardless of previous experience or current treatment approach.
• Provide stimulus and opportunity for interested GI fellows to better develop their skills in IBD.
• Expose non-IBD focus GI fellows to clinical practices employed at IBD Centers of Excellence.
• Share evidence-based and expert opinion-based approaches to the diagnosis, treatment and management of IBD.

View more information on Visiting IBD Fellow Program

The initial pilot program was funded by an educational grant from Centocor, Inc.

updated 5/13/08