13^th World Gastro Summit

Impact of COVID-19 on Gastroenterology Practice

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to gastroenterology practices globally. Elective and non-urgent endoscopic procedures were deferred, straining diagnostic workflows and causing delays in treatment. The rapid adoption of telemedicine provided a partial solution for continued care, though challenges remain in evaluating complex GI conditions remotely. Practices were restructured to prioritize safety, with heightened infection control protocols, including strict hygiene practices and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Despite the disruption, the pandemic acted as a catalyst for innovation—accelerating digital integration and prompting the reevaluation of traditional care models in gastroenterology.