The department is committed to delivering high-quality clinical care, innovative scientific research and rigorous medical education. It is comprised of Gastroenterology Wards, GICU, Digestive Clinic, GI Endoscopy Center, Gastrointestinal Motility Testing Center, the Laboratory of Translational Medicine for Gastrointestinal Diseases, and the Precision Robotics Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory for Digestive Tract Tumours. Most doctors in the department have extensive experience studying abroad and focus on the following sub-specialties: confocal microendoscopy, endoscopic minimally invasive treatment, endoscopic ultrasonography, endoscopic retrograde  cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), small bowel disease, liver intervention, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and digestive motility. Among which, the department is the pioneer and leader in confocal laser microendoscopy internationally. The department has established long-term partnerships with more than ten foreign medical schools in the United States, Germany, Japan, Singapore, etc.

In recent years, the Qilu gastroenterology team has undertaken two projects of National Key Research and Development Project, one key program of National Natural Science Foundation, two key projects of the Ministry of Health, and more than 30 other national, provincial and ministerial-level projects. The department has won the Shandong Science and Technology Progress Award (first prize) and the Science and Technology Progress Award of Shandong Province and the Ministry of Education (four second prizes).