The Expert Guide to Gastroenterologists in Hong Kong

Hongkongers are not strangers to digestive issues. In case you don’t know who to seek help from, a gastroenterologist, who attends to gut health problems, may be the kind of doctor you are looking for. Learn more about gastroenterologists, their specialty, consultation costs and where to find them in Hong Kong in this article!

What is a gastroenterologist?

Gastroenterology studies the physiology and diseases of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver. A gastroenterologist is an internist, who takes care of the non-surgical part, whereas surgeries on the digestive system are usually performed by a general surgeon. 

Common diseases treated by a gastroenterologist

• Cirrhosis
• Colon polyps and colon cancer
• Constipation and diarrhea
• Crohn’s disease
• Gallbladder and biliary tract diseases
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hepatitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Peptic ulcers
• Ulcerative colitis
• Lactose intolerance
• Celiac Disease – gluten-sensitive enteropathy

Gastroenterologist vs. Hepatologist: What is the difference?

Both of them treat diseases related to the liver. A gastroenterologist treats the whole digestive system and concerns about digestive issues, while a hepatologist focuses on the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas. Though hepatology is generally thought to be a subspecialty of gastroenterology and many hospitals in Hong Kong put them under the same department, some places have seen fast development in hepatology propelling hepatologists to practice as an independent discipline, e.g. transplant hepatology in which a transplant hepatologist is specially trained to manage the advanced liver disease and liver transplants.

When should you see a gastroenterologist?

Below are some common reasons that people see a gastroenterologist:

• Ongoing diarrhea – It may indicate an irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or small bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
• Constipation – A gastroenterologist can help ascertain the cause of constipation, prescribe medications and recommend lifestyle changes.
• Frequent or severe heartburn – If you're having heartburn symptoms more than a couple of times per week, it could be a sign of GERD.
• Unusual bloating – It can be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or gastroparesis (partial paralysis of the stomach).
• Sudden or severe abdominal pain – Severe abdominal pain that lasts for hours or abdominal pain that comes on suddenly and intensely may be a sign of a stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer; consistently severe abdominal pain can also be a sign of gallstones, pancreatitis or liver disease.
• Rectal bleeding or blood in stool – It could be hemorrhoids; but if it is accompanied by changes in your bowel habits or the color or consistency of your stool, it can be a sign of colorectal cancer.
• Difficulty swallowing – A sore throat is a common symptom associated with upper respiratory infections, but if it is not accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, cough or runny nose, it may be a sign of digestive problems.
• Food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances – They can lead to other digestive problems such as bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting and more. A gastroenterologist can test for the food causing the problems and develop a treatment plan.
• Unexplained weight loss – If you lose more than 5 percent of your body weight over four to six months without trying, you should see your gastroenterologist and be checked for IBD, ulcers, cancer and more.
• Preventive screening – Most people begin having screening colonoscopies at age 45, if the findings are normal and you have no other risk factors, you only need to repeat a colonoscopy every 10 years.

Treatments provided by a gastroenterologist

Gastroenterologists are internists and do not perform surgical procedures. They perform the following diagnostic procedures to confirm their diagnosis.

• Endoscopy: Endoscopes are cameras attached to a long, thin tube that is inserted through the mouth, passing through the esophagus, stomach, and possibly reaching the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), depending on the sites needed to be inspected. The live video is sent to a screen for real-time monitoring.
• Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy is similar to endoscopy, but it is inserted through the rectum and mainly inspects the colon.
• Endoscopic ultrasound: Endoscopic ultrasound utilizes a special endoscope with an ultrasound probe attached to detect any abnormalities inside the biliary system (liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas).
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): ERCP combines endoscopy and X-ray. An endoscope is inserted into your body and a dye to highlight your organs on an X-ray is administered to allow thorough examinations.
• CT scan of the digestive system: A CT scan provides more details than a regular X-ray, so it can be done when other tests are not conclusive. Useful to detect tumors.

List of Gastroenterologists in Hong Kong

1. Gastroenterologists in the public sector

Specialist outpatient clinics for Gastroenterology are included in the Department of Medicine and are available in this list of public hospitals in Hong Kong.

2. Gastroenterologists in the private sector

You can search for gastroenterologists according to their locations here.

How much does it cost to see a gastroenterologist in Hong Kong?

Public sector fees: For eligible HKID-holders, the price of visiting specialist outpatient clinics is HK$135 for the first attendance, $80 per subsequent attendance and $15 per drug item.

Private sector fees: According to our research, the initial consultation fees of a gastroenterologist in the private sector range from HK$600 to over $1,600, excluding costs of drugs, medical supplies, lab or other special treatments.

Does insurance cover consultations & treatments with gastroenterologists in Hong Kong?

According to Alea, gastroenterologist consultations and procedures are reimbursed under doctor specialist fees. Generally, high-end medical plans reimburse gastroenterologist treatment in full without any sub-limit whereas local plans have doctor specialist sub-limits for consultations, procedures and surgeries. If you have any health insurance questions or looking to maximize your coverage, contact an expert at Alea at [email protected].