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Differences among physicians in the treatment of children with vomiting
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Illinois.
Insights
Pediatricians with specialized training are more likely to prescribe clear liquids for children experiencing vomiting. Physicians without pediatric training less frequently recommend this safe and effective treatment, highlighting a need for improved education.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Vomiting is a frequent pediatric concern.
- Clear liquids are the recommended treatment for uncomplicated pediatric vomiting.
- Adherence to recommended treatments can vary among healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prescribing practices of different physician groups for pediatric vomiting.
- To identify variations in the use of clear liquid therapy based on physician training.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to four physician groups: board-certified pediatricians (BCP), board-certified family practitioners (BCFP), non-board-certified pediatric practitioners (NBCP), and non-pediatric practitioners (NPT).
- Physicians were presented with ten treatment options for four pediatric age groups (less than 1, 1-5, 6-10, and >10 years).
Main Results:
- Physicians with pediatric training (BCP, BCFP, NBCP) prescribed clear liquids more frequently than those without (NPT) across all age groups.
- Milk and drug treatments were prescribed more often by physicians without pediatric training.
- Non-clear liquid treatments pose risks, particularly for infants under one year.
Conclusions:
- Physicians with pediatric training demonstrate higher adherence to recommended clear liquid therapy for vomiting children.
- A knowledge gap regarding optimal pediatric vomiting management may exist among physicians without specific pediatric training.
- Further education on treating pediatric vomiting is recommended for all physicians, especially those lacking pediatric expertise.
Abstract:
Vomiting is a common pediatric problem. In the absence of a specific condition, the recommended treatment for children with vomiting is clear liquids. We surveyed four groups of physicians to determine who uses this recommended treatment. The groups were: board certified pediatricians (BCP), board certified family practitioners (BCFP), practitioners with pediatric training but without board certification (NBCP), and practitioners without pediatric training (NPT). The questionnaire listed ten treatment choices for each of four different age groups: less than 1, 1-5, 6-10, and greater than 10 years. In all age groups, the percentages of clear liquid treatments prescribed by physicians with pediatric training were higher than the percentages prescribed by physicians without pediatric training (NPT). The opposite pattern was shown for prescribed milk and drug treatments. Treatments other than clear liquid can be ineffective or dangerous, especially to children less than 1. More information about treatment of children with vomiting may be needed by all physicians, particularly those without pediatric training.
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