ACG CxA study plan
ACG CxA · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinical Knowledge
Build a one-page outline of core gastroenterology pathophysiology (acid secretion, mucosal defense, nutrient absorption, motility regulation) from primary sources
Differentiate the clinical presentation and initial workup of peptic ulcer disease, GERD, and functional dyspepsia in a written comparison table
Explain the mechanisms and indications for acid-suppressive therapy and list three adverse-effect considerations for long-term use
Complete 40 practice questions on upper GI disorders and log every missed concept with a corrected explanation
Your checkpoint
A concept map plus error log covering upper GI disorders, with each missed item rewritten as a one-sentence teaching point
Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Procedures
Sequence the steps of a diagnostic upper endoscopy and describe the role of each team member during the procedure
Identify endoscopic findings and appropriate management for acute upper GI bleeding, including risk stratification scoring
Summarize quality indicators for colonoscopy (cecal intubation, adenoma detection, withdrawal time, bowel prep adequacy)
Review sedation and monitoring principles and list contraindications to moderate sedation in endoscopy
Complete 40 practice questions on endoscopy and document rationale for each answer choice
Your checkpoint
A one-page endoscopy quality-indicator checklist with target thresholds and a 40-question practice set scored and reviewed
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinical Knowledge & Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Procedures
Integrate lower GI clinical presentation (diarrhea, malabsorption, colorectal cancer screening) with the corresponding endoscopic evaluation pathway
Compare screening modalities for colorectal cancer by interval, sensitivity, and patient-selection considerations
Explain the workup and management of acute lower GI bleeding and contrast it with upper GI bleeding management
Complete a timed 50-question mixed block across Domains 1 and 2 and analyze performance by subtopic
Your checkpoint
A timed 50-question mixed block with a written performance analysis identifying the two weakest subtopics
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Distinguish ulcerative colitis from Crohn disease by distribution, histology, and complication profile in a comparison matrix
Outline induction and maintenance treatment strategies for mild, moderate, and severe IBD, including when to escalate therapy
Describe monitoring for and management of IBD complications, including strictures, fistulae, and extraintestinal manifestations
Apply treat-to-target principles and appropriate use of biomarkers and endoscopy in disease monitoring
Complete 40 IBD practice questions and correct every missed item
Your checkpoint
An IBD comparison matrix plus a treatment-escalation flowchart, validated against 40 reviewed practice questions
Liver Disease and Hepatology
Interpret liver chemistry patterns (hepatocellular vs cholestatic) and construct a differential for each
Explain the evaluation and staging of chronic liver disease, including noninvasive fibrosis assessment
Summarize the recognition and initial management of cirrhosis complications: ascites, varices, encephalopathy, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Differentiate viral hepatitis serologies and describe indications for treatment
Complete 45 hepatology practice questions and document reasoning for each answer
Your checkpoint
A liver-serology interpretation table and a cirrhosis-complication management summary, scored against a 45-question practice set
Functional GI and Motility Disorders
Map the Rome criteria for common functional GI disorders and distinguish them from organic disease
Explain the pathophysiology and stepwise management of irritable bowel syndrome by symptom predominance
Describe the evaluation of dysphagia, gastroparesis, and chronic constipation, including when motility testing is indicated
Complete 40 functional and motility practice questions and log recurring distractor patterns
Your checkpoint
A diagnostic-and-management algorithm for IBS and a 40-question practice set with a distractor-pattern log
Practice Management, Quality, and Health Equity
Identify the quality metrics and reporting requirements relevant to gastroenterology practice and endoscopy units
Describe health-equity considerations in GI care, including disparities in screening, access, and outcomes
Outline practice-management concepts: documentation, informed consent, and care coordination across settings
Complete 35 practice questions across Domain 6 and note any content gaps requiring further review
Your checkpoint
A quality-and-equity one-pager linking metrics to measurable practice improvements, plus a completed 35-question set
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinical Knowledge & Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Procedures & Inflammatory Bowel Disease & Liver Disease and Hepatology & Functional GI and Motility Disorders & Practice Management, Quality, and Health Equity
Re-review every error-log entry from Weeks 1 through 7 and confirm mastery of each corrected concept
Complete two timed 60-question mixed exams simulating exam conditions and compare scores for improvement
Prioritize final review toward the two lowest-scoring domains from practice data
Draft a concise personal summary sheet of high-yield decision rules for each domain
Your checkpoint
Two scored timed mixed exams with a final review sheet and a documented score trend across the study period
Milestones
Week 2: Complete Domains 1 and 2 with an error log of at least 80 reviewed questions and a practice accuracy of 65% or higher
Week 4: Complete Domains 1 through 3; IBD comparison matrix and escalation flowchart finished; mixed-block accuracy of 70% or higher
Week 6: Complete Domains 1 through 5; all five domain summaries drafted; cumulative practice accuracy of 75% or higher
Week 8: Two timed mixed exams completed with a score trend showing improvement and every error-log item closed out