BACKGROUND: The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition launched a provider and public education campaign in 2002 to raise awareness of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To determine the effectiveness of campaign messages, we conducted a knowledge, attitudes, and practice styles (KAPS) survey of pediatric providers. Understanding the spectrum of management styles of GERD in children is critical to achieve better health outcomes and reduce health care costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The KAPS questionnaire was administered to 6000 randomly selected members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. RESULTS: A total of 1245 members responded; 82% worked in a primary care setting and 18% in subspecialty practices. Overall, 66% of the members order diagnostic testing in routine practice, 54% start testing for GERD in neonates, and 38% start testing after 1 month of age. The most common tests ordered were barium esophagram (45%) and esophageal pH monitoring (37%). GERD treatment with acid suppression before ordering diagnostic testing was a choice of 82% of the respondents. However, 19% believed acid suppression was best achieved by H2 blockers. If acid suppression was indicated, then only 36% followed guideline recommendations for therapy duration and 52% followed guideline recommendations for dosing. Antireflux surgery was recommended only as a last resort by 92%. Overall, 69% of providers believed the amount of GERD-related information available was not enough. Respondents who were not aware of available GERD practice guidelines ranged from 74% to 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric providers appear to frequently order diagnostic testing and treatment for GERD, yet knowledge about evidence-based GERD management among this random sample appeared limited. Moreover, a significant number of providers were not aware of different guideline publications.
BACKGROUND: The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition launched a provider and public education campaign in 2002 to raise awareness of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To determine the effectiveness of campaign messages, we conducted a knowledge, attitudes, and practice styles (KAPS) survey of pediatric providers. Understanding the spectrum of management styles of GERD in children is critical to achieve better health outcomes and reduce health care costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The KAPS questionnaire was administered to 6000 randomly selected members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. RESULTS: A total of 1245 members responded; 82% worked in a primary care setting and 18% in subspecialty practices. Overall, 66% of the members order diagnostic testing in routine practice, 54% start testing for GERD in neonates, and 38% start testing after 1 month of age. The most common tests ordered were barium esophagram (45%) and esophageal pH monitoring (37%). GERD treatment with acid suppression before ordering diagnostic testing was a choice of 82% of the respondents. However, 19% believed acid suppression was best achieved by H2 blockers. If acid suppression was indicated, then only 36% followed guideline recommendations for therapy duration and 52% followed guideline recommendations for dosing. Antireflux surgery was recommended only as a last resort by 92%. Overall, 69% of providers believed the amount of GERD-related information available was not enough. Respondents who were not aware of available GERD practice guidelines ranged from 74% to 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric providers appear to frequently order diagnostic testing and treatment for GERD, yet knowledge about evidence-based GERD management among this random sample appeared limited. Moreover, a significant number of providers were not aware of different guideline publications.
Authors: Anne M Stey; Charles D Vinocur; R Lawrence Moss; Bruce L Hall; Mark E Cohen; Kari Kraemer; Clifford Y Ko; Brian D Kenney; Loren Berman Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2018-02-05 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: Robert M Ward; Gregory L Kearns; Brinda Tammara; Phyllis Bishop; Molly A O'Gorman; Laura P James; Mitchell H Katz; Mary K Maguire; Natalie Rath; Xu Meng; Gail M Comer Journal: J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2010-09-17 Impact factor: 3.126
Authors: Jaroslaw Kierkus; Wanda Furmaga-Jablonska; Janice E Sullivan; Elmer S David; Dan L Stewart; Natalie Rath; Caifeng Fu; Wenjin Wang; Mary K Maguire; Gail M Comer Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2010-07-07 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Catherine A Golski; Ellen S Rome; Richard J Martin; Scott H Frank; Sarah Worley; Zhiyuan Sun; Anna Maria Hibbs Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2009-12-14 Impact factor: 7.124