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Published on: June 2, 2014
Study on management of pediatric migraine by general practitioners in northern France
Jean-Christophe Cuvellier1, Sandra Carvalho, Amaury Mars
1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Lille Faculty of Medicine and Children's Hospital, Lille, France. jc-cuvellier@chru-lille.fr
Insights
Many general practitioners (GPs) lack awareness of pediatric migraine guidelines from the High Health Authority (HAS). Improved educational programs are needed to ensure proper migraine management in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Migraine management in children requires adherence to specific guidelines.
- General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in initial pediatric migraine care.
- Awareness of guidelines impacts treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess general practitioners' awareness of the High Health Authority (HAS) guidelines for pediatric migraine management.
- To identify gaps in knowledge regarding acute and preventive therapies for pediatric migraine.
- To compare awareness and practice between urban and rural GPs.
Main Methods:
- A phone-based questionnaire survey was administered to 100 general practitioners (GPs).
- Participants were randomly sampled and divided into urban and rural groups.
- The survey covered knowledge of pediatric migraine treatment, referral practices, and HAS guideline awareness.
Main Results:
- Only 3% of GPs were aware of the recommended ibuprofen dosage for pediatric migraine, despite 45% prescribing it.
- Fewer than half of GPs (48%) were willing to initiate preventive therapy for pediatric migraine.
- While 50% of GPs knew of HAS guidelines, only 24% had read them.
- A significant difference between urban and rural GPs was observed only in initiating preventive therapy.
Conclusions:
- There is a substantial need for continuing educational programs on pediatric migraine guidelines for GPs.
- Enhanced training can improve the implementation of evidence-based migraine management in children.
- Addressing guideline awareness gaps is essential for optimizing care for pediatric migraine patients.
Abstract:
The study explored the awareness of the Haute Autorité de Santé (High Health Authority, HAS) guidelines for migraine management in children among a random sample of 100 general practitioners (GPs) dichotomised in an urban and a rural group. A questionnaire conducted by phone included questions on knowledge of pediatric migraine acute treatment and preventive therapy, referral to a child neurologist as well as GPs awareness of HAS recommendations in general. Although 45% of GPs argued they were prescribing ibuprofen as first-line abortive drug, only 3% were aware of the recommended dose. Only 48% of GPs were agreeing to initiate preventive therapy. Fifty percent of GPs stated that they knew HAS guidelines but only 24% stated that they had read them. The only significant difference between urban and rural GPs concerned the initiation of preventive therapy. Continuing educational programmes on the implementation of pediatric migraine guidelines is strongly needed.
