Postdoctoral Training & Felowships
Postdoctoral fellowships are available with Drs. Drossman and Whitehead in gastroenterology (functional GI subspecialty), health services (outcomes) research, and gastrointestinal psychophysiology. Dr. Burnett supervises predoctoral trainees from the UNC Clinical Psychology Program in addition to postdoctoral fellows. These trainees conduct research and develop interview, diagnosis and cognitive/behavioral treatment skills and techniques. Drs. Drossman, Whitehead, Scarlett, and Shaheen provide clinical skills teaching to GI Fellows, OBGYN Fellows, Residents, and Interns at UNC Hospitals.

Visiting Scientist Program
The Center attracts trainees and faculty for electives, visiting professorships and sabbaticals. Studying at the Center from a few weeks to many months, visiting scientists have come from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, Spain, and other countries. To apply for a visiting scientist position, fill out our application.

Publications, Workshops, & Lectures
Center faculty lecture and teach workshops internationally. Topics include motility and psychosocial assessment, biofeedback, behavior modification, the patient-doctor relationship, and other psychosocial topics. Drs. Drossman and Whitehead have written and edited influential training texts such as The Rome Criteria and the training text, Gastrointestinal Disorders: Behavioral and Physiological Basis for Treatment.

Video Tapes
An effective tool for both continuing medical education and patient education, the Center faculty are active in developing and producing videotapes, some of which have won national recognition. Dr. Drossman has developed a series of videotapes to teach physicians and other health professionals how to administer an effective interview, carry out a psychosocial assessment, and enhance the patient-doctor relationship. Dr. Whitehead produced a video on using the Barostat to study visceral pain sensitivity, and videos on the biofeedback treatment of fecal incontinence. The Center produced a video of its patient-focused public symposium on functional GI disorders.

Patient Education
The Center has become active in its patient education efforts. From developing patient-focused material for its website, to creating brochures for distribution in the Clinic, to offering evening symposia for patients with functional GI disorders, the patient education program is expanding. The Center continues to work with other organizations such as the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders to offer the best, most up-to-date information available.

University Affiliation
Because of its affiliation with the University of North Carolina Medical School and Hospitals, Center faculty serve on the standard teaching services. They give lectures at University-offered courses, precept fellows, attend over junior faculty and medical students, and serve on the hospital consult service.

Committee Involvement
Center faculty sit on and chair committees for international groups and associations such as the American Gastroenterology Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American Psychosomatic Society, International Foundation for Functional GI Disorders, Functional Brain-Gut Research Group, American Psychosomatic Society, American College of Gastroenterology, the Digestive Health Initiative, and the North Carolina Psychological Foundation.