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Physician perspectives on vaccination and diagnostic testing in children with gastroenteritis: A primary care

Arissa J Sperou1, James A Dickinson2, Bonita Lee3

  • 1Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.

Paediatrics & Child Health
|February 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Physicians desire simpler diagnostic tests for pediatric gastroenteritis and support introducing new enteric vaccines. Improving stool sample collection methods is also a key recommendation for better pathogen identification.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Gastroenteritis is a frequent pediatric illness with limited understanding of physician knowledge regarding diagnostic tests.
  • Alberta's lack of a publicly funded rotavirus vaccination program highlighted a gap in understanding primary care physician perspectives on enteric pathogen vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine diagnostic testing methods for enteric pathogens used by physicians.
  • To assess physician knowledge and perceptions of enteric pathogen diagnostic tests and vaccines.
  • To explore physician perspectives on stool sample collection and vaccine program adoption.

Main Methods:

  • A 30-item electronic survey was administered to physicians across Alberta's five health care zones.
  • Survey participants included members of Alberta's Primary Care Networks, the TARRANT network, and The Society of General Pediatricians of Greater Edmonton.
  • Study outcomes focused on physician knowledge of diagnostic tests, perspectives on stool sample collection, and support for an enteric vaccine program.

Main Results:

  • Stool culture was the most reported test for parasites (47%), viruses (74%), and Clostridium difficile (67%).
  • Physician awareness of electron microscopy (20%) and enzyme immunoassay (48%) for viral identification was low, despite their use.
  • A majority of physicians found stool testing inconvenient (62%) but supported rectal swabs for improved collection rates (82%) and favored enteric vaccines (73%).

Conclusions:

  • Simplifying diagnostic testing and stool sample collection can enhance pathogen identification rates in pediatric gastroenteritis.
  • Most physicians surveyed support the implementation of enteric vaccines into routine pediatric vaccination schedules.
  • Addressing physician knowledge gaps and improving diagnostic procedures are crucial for managing pediatric enteric infections effectively.
Abstract

Keywords:
Diagnostic testingGastroenteritisPrimary careVaccination

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