Educational needs in the diagnosis and management of pediatric functional constipation: a US survey of specialist and primary care clinicians

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The goal of this study was to identify opportunities among gastroenterologists and gastroenterology nurse practitioners (NPs)/physician assistants (PAs) for continuing medical education (CME) related to functional constipation.

Methods: An online, case-vignette survey was designed to identify and quantify practice patterns of pediatric gastroenterology clinicians. Case vignettes are a validated method for assessing clinician practice patterns. The survey consisted of three patient cases: a 3-year-old female with a 6-month history of constipation; a 6-year-old male with a 1-year history of constipation refractory to treatment and a sacral dimple with nearby tuft of hair; and a 16-year-old male with a 10-year history of constipation, and a sullen, depressed mood. Survey responses were compared to NASPGHAN guideline recommendations for diagnosis and management to identify areas where additional education may be beneficial.

Results: Responses were collected from 197 gastroenterologists, 116 gastroenterology NPs/PAs, and 206 pediatrician/primary care clinicians. Several of the practice patterns observed suggest opportunities for future CME: low use of applicable Rome III diagnostic criteria; approximately 85% recommended testing beyond what is recommended for the 3-year-old patient; over 1/3 did not perform several recommended tests for the 6-year-old patient; and over 25% did not refer the 16-year-old patient for psychological evaluation. Further, there was little consensus in treatment approach among the three clinician groups. Primary care familiarity with NASPGHAN guidelines was low.

Conclusions: CME programs focusing on applying diagnostic criteria, matching diagnostic workup to patient presentation, treatment selection, and identifying patients who may benefit from psychological evaluation may fill knowledge and practice gaps of clinicians who manage pediatric patients with functional constipation.

KEYWORDS:

• Constipation
• gastroenterology
• clinical practice patterns
• continuing medical education
• survey
• Rome III

Acknowledgments

None reported.

Declaration of interest

AB received an honorarium for his assistance with survey development and data interpretation. AS is an employee of Takeda Pharmaceuticals. All other authors have no conflicts to disclose. This study was financially supported by Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. to objectively identify areas of educational need within these communities. Postgraduate Medicine peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

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Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was funded by Takeda Pharmaceuticals US.