The Brain-Gut Clinic in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia: Pioneering New Service to Advance Neuro-Gastroenterology and Motility in Malaysia

Abstract

Neurogastroenterology and motility is a new but advanced subspecialty within gasteroenterology that cater to difficult, persistent and refractory gut-brain symptoms. Hospital USM has the country's first and new state-of-the art motility lab that was recently launched on the 25 May 2023, and is covered in nationwide media. Another first is the Brain-Gut Clinic, established on the 16 November 2022. The clinic is a new concept that builds on unique multiple disciplines in relation to the gut-brain axis. It is hoped that there will be more awareness on the existence of neurogastroenterology and motility among doctors and community, and that more research can be forthcoming to reduce the disease burden.

Keywords: brain-gut; clinical services; gut mobility; neurogastroenterology.

Figure 1

Photographs taken during Brain-Gut Clinic in the months of January and April 2023, with attendance by patients both locally and outside Kota Bharu and experts from clinical neurosciences, gastroenterologists, dietitians and clinical psychologists

Figure 2

Launching and media coverage of the new state-of-the-art neurogastroenterology and motility lab on the 25 May 2023 by the hospital director, Dato’ Professor Dr. Nik Hisamuddin Nik Ab. Rahman