Psychosocial and Cultural Considerations
in GI Behavioral Health
On-Demand CE Learning Opportunity  
Earn up to 2 CE credits*
In this workshop, we modify and/or expand upon the fundamentals of GI behavioral health to incorporate socioeconomic and cultural considerations, both challenges patients and providers may face, and ways to address them. 

This workshop should be of particular benefit to providers delivering care in lower income and/or culturally diverse settings. After reviewing the fundamentals of GI behavioral health, we explain the rationale for this workshop, including the relationship between socioeconomic and cultural factors and mental and physical health care status. 

We then discuss the specific challenges that might arise when working with people with gastrointestinal disorders, possible assessment strategies providers may use to explore existence of these challenges, and ways to further expand and/or modify the principles of GI behavioral health to address them. Finally, we illustrate these principles through case examples.
A Rome Foundation Continuing Medical Education program.
This activity is pending approval from the National Association of Social Workers.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the basic principles of GI behavioral health
  • Explain the rationale for considering socioeconomic and cultural factors when conducting GI behavioral health
  • Describe 3 potential challenges to care in lower income and/or culturally diverse GI behavioral health
  • ​Identify three ways to expand and/or modify GI behavioral health intervention strategies to address these challenges
To participate in this program, please consider giving what you
are able without undue financial burden.

Suggested fee (professionals): $50

Suggested fee (professionals working in underserved areas & students): $5-25
Presenters:

Jessica Gerson, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in the departments of Psychiatry and Medicine at NYU-Langone Hospital. Dr. Gerson earned her Ph.D. at L.I. U. in Brooklyn. Her areas of clinical expertise include pediatric psychology and psychogastroenterology. Her research interest include the impact of psychotherapy upon patients undergoing colorectal surgery, and the efficacy of hypnotherapy groups and social support groups in the treatment of functional GI conditions and IBD.

Jessica Salwen-Deremer, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Dr. Salwen-Deremer earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Stony Brook University and completed her fellowship in behavioral medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her areas of clinical expertise include behavioral sleep medicine and psychogastroenterology. Her research predominantly focuses on the relationship between sleep and IBD and includes investigation into the use of telemedicine to enhance access to care.

Mary Rzeszut, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds her Master’s Degree from Fordham University. Ms. Rzeszut is a practicing psychotherapist presently in the department of psychiatry working with those diagnosed with IBD and other chronic diseases. In addition, she is the mental health provider for the medical students in the new NYU Long Island School of Medicine Her research interests include the integration of behavioral health in healthcare, mind –body medicine and professional wellness. Ms. Rzeszut is presently pursuing her doctoral degree.

Ghoncheh (Gigi) Ghiasian, MPH is currently the Research Program Manager at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at NYU Langone. She hold a Master’s degree in Public Health and is currently receiving a Master’s in Social Work from the Silver School of NYU.

Rome Psychogastroenterology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rome Psychogastroenterology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
About the Rome Foundation
The Rome Foundation is an independent not for profit 501(c) 3 organization that provides support for activities designed to create scientific data and educational information to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). Our mission is to improve the lives of people with DGBI.

Over the last 20 years, the Rome organization has sought to legitimize and update our knowledge of the DGBIs. This has been accomplished by bringing together scientists and clinicians from around the world to classify and critically appraise the science of gastrointestinal function and dysfunction. This knowledge permits clinical scientists to make recommendations for diagnosis and treatment that can be applied in research and clinical practice.
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