II level Master in Advanced Clinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease A.Y. 2026/27

The II level Master's Degree in Advanced Clinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease aims to provide and expand medical and diagnostic knowledge for the management of patients suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.

The expected outcome, to be assessed through a final examination, includes:

a) Acquisition of the skills required for the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease;

b) Theoretical and practical training in endoscopic techniques and in the use of endoscopic and histological scoring systems;

c) Up-to-date knowledge of the indications for advanced biological therapies and small-molecules treatments.

Main objectives

The Master will be mainly focused on the application of advanced therapies (biological and small molecules) in clinical practice.

In addition, it will concentrate on patient management according to the standard of care recommended by the most recent guidelines of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO), as well as on new therapeutic targets (treat-to-target and tight control strategies).

The program will also provide in-depth training on the application of clinical and endoscopic scoring systems used in inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as the most recent advanced endoscopic techniques for colorectal cancer surveillance and assessment of disease activity (virtual and vital chromoendoscopy).

Furthermore, participants will learn how to manage patients with severe disease during hospitalization, with particular attention to the rescue-therapy and surgical indications.

During the course, participants will be actively involved in outpatient clinical activities and in performing endoscopic procedures dedicated to patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, with the aim of achieving full autonomy in managing these conditions, including the most complex cases.

Participants will also interact with other specialists involved in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and extraintestinal manifestations or surgical complications, such as rheumatologists, dermatologists, surgeons, and ophthalmologists, within a multidisciplinary care framework.

Additionally, the Center includes a pathologist dedicated to inflammatory bowel diseases, with whom participants will have the opportunity to collaborate in order to learn and apply the histological scoring systems for the assessment of microscopic disease activity.

The training pathway is demanding and requires, one one hand, an adequate knowledge of inflammatory bowel diseases and, on the other, the development of specific technical competences.

The program aims to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge of therapies, devices and endoscopic techniques, as well as the ability to assess therapeutic indications and establish appropriate disease-monitoring strategies.

A significant emphasis will be placed on pratical training through sessions in the endoscopic room and outpatient clincial activities. Initially, participants will act as observers and progressively will become experts and autonomous operators.

To sum up, the overall objective of the program is to enable participants to be autonomous in the management of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.