Functional gastrointestinal disorders in infants: Practice, knowledge and needs of Australian pharmacists
Rupert Hinds1,2, Nik Loveridge3, Daniel A Lemberg4,5
1Department of Gastroenterology, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Retail pharmacists frequently advise parents on infant gastrointestinal issues like colic, reflux, and constipation. They need better guidelines and training on providing reassurance and evidence-based recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Community Pharmacy Practice
- Healthcare Professional Education
Background:
- Infant functional gastrointestinal disorders are common concerns for parents.
- Retail pharmacists play a role in advising families on infant health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactions between retail pharmacists and parents regarding infant functional gastrointestinal disorders.
- To understand the advice and recommendations provided by pharmacists for conditions like colic, reflux, and constipation.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was distributed to 362 retail pharmacists across Australia.
- The survey assessed the frequency of parent interactions, types of advice given, information sources, and desired guidelines.
Main Results:
- 85% of pharmacists regularly counsel on infant constipation, 76% on reflux, and 76% on colic.
- Medication recommendations were common for constipation (70%) and colic (81%).
- Pharmacists expressed a strong need for gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) guidelines.
Conclusions:
- There is a need for enhanced professional reassurance in managing infant gastrointestinal disorders.
- Accessible, evidence-based national guidelines are crucial for pharmacists.
Aim:
To determine the nature and extent of interactions between retail pharmacists and families of infants concerned about functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Methods:
A 15-question online survey was developed that could be completed by retail pharmacists in approximately 5 min. This survey aimed to obtain information relating to the frequency of interactions with parents of infants seeking advice and/or information about colic, gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) or constipation in pharmacies; what recommendations and/or advice was given by the pharmacists; from where the pharmacists obtained their information and what guidelines/recommendations they would value; and demographic information.
Results:
A total of 362 pharmacists from every state and territory within Australia completed the survey. Conversations with parents/carers about constipation at least once a week were reported by 85% of pharmacists, with the equivalent percentages for GOR and colic both being 76%. In the case of constipation, medication was recommended in 70% of cases, and a nutritional approach was recommended in 67% of cases. Medication was recommended in 81% of cases of suspected colic, significantly greater than nutritional advice at 50%. For possible GOR, recommendations were similar, with medication being suggested in 66% and nutritional advice in 68%. GOR guidelines were the most sought after, with 42% of pharmacists placing such guidelines as their number one need.
Conclusions:
This survey indicates the need for greater emphasis to be given to reassurance by health-care professionals involved in the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders in infancy, as well as consideration of the construction of easily accessible, evidence-based national guidelines.
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