Clinical Use of Probiotics: A Survey of Physicians' Beliefs and Practice Patterns

Ensminger, A.; Haque, Rafita

doi:10.1016/j.jada.2011.06.152

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Medical students in Nigeria [24] have the highest level of knowledge of probiotics, followed by pharmacy students, which may be due to the high quality of university instruction and the use of a growing volume of evidence that supports the health effects of probiotics. Several studies have also emphasized that health providers clearly need more information about probiotics in order to confidently provide advice to patients [24,36]. In particular, nurses have a crucial role supporting the use of probiotics because they are involved in the routine care of patients as well as in providing advice and education [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Professionals’ Knowledge of Probiotics: An International Survey

Fijan

Frauwallner²,

Varga

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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The objective of this study was to survey health professionals to investigate their knowledge of probiotics. An online survey was conducted to gather data on the knowledge of health professionals. The online survey was distributed via email and social media platforms using snowball sampling. A total of 1066 health professionals (859; 80.6% female) from 30 countries responded to the survey. Most of the respondents evaluated their knowledge of probiotics as medium (36.4%) or good (36.2%). Only 8.9% of the respondents rated it as excellent. No statistical difference in knowledge was found between male and female health professionals. Over 80% of pharmacists, allied health professionals, medical doctors and dentists, and other health professionals knew the correct definition of probiotics as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”, whereas three quarters of registered nurses and midwives and less than two thirds of psychologists identified the correct definition. Statistically, more female than male health professionals knew the correct definition of probiotics. The most frequently recognized species of bacteria containing probiotic strains were Lactobacillus acidophilus (92%), Bifidobacterium bifidum (82%), and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (62%). The opinions on when it is best to take probiotics were different (χ2 = 28.375; p < 0.001), with 90.2% of respondents identifying that probiotics have beneficial effects if taken during antibiotic therapy, 83.5% for diarrhea, 70.6% for constipation, 63.3% before traveling abroad, and 60.4% for treating allergies. Almost 79% of health professionals involved in this study have advised their patients to use probiotics and 57.5% of the respondents wanted to learn more about probiotics. All things considered, health professionals have a medium level of knowledge of probiotics, which could be improved by the implementation of targeted learning programs. As probiotics have many beneficial effects in a wide range of health areas, health professionals need to adopt the use of probiotics in clinical practice.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Professionals’ Knowledge of Probiotics: An International Survey

Fijan

Frauwallner²,

Varga

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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“…Physicians not using probiotics feel that more evidence-based research is needed to support their use in clinical practice. 9 What is missing from this research, however, are questions and responses from the antibiotic-prescribing group of physicians on the frequency of recommending probiotics during antibiotic treatment (as 32% of the physicians surveyed reported prescribing antibiotics); no data is reported regarding concurrent use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The report, Clinical Use of Probiotics: A Survey of Physicians' Beliefs and Practice Patterns stated that "peer practice patterns" influenced the group of physicians prescribing probiotics; whereas the group of physicians that did not prescribe probiotics cite the lack of evidencedbased research for not doing so. 9 This survey was limited to 27 physicians at Danville Regional Medical Center in Danville, Virginia. Additional research findings in this survey are interesting:…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A complementary medicine approach to augmenting antibiotic therapy: current practices in the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy

Kerna¹

2018

IJCAM

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Physicians and other healthcare providers have long posited that one of the functions of probiotics is to substitute and replenish the gut microbes destroyed by antibiotics during antibacterial therapy. Over time, mostly due to observation and anecdotal evidence, it became widely accepted that probiotics have a beneficial effect on the human body in reducing, or even eliminating, certain adverse effects and unwanted consequences of antibiotic treatment, as well as supporting the natural intestinal flora that may have been disrupted during the use of antibiotics. Much of the current research in this area supports these prior hypotheses and practices: that probiotic use is beneficial during antibiotic therapy; particularly in eliminating or limiting antibioticassociated diarrhea (AAD), disruptions of the epithelium of the lower intestine tract due to Clostridium difficile infections (CDI), and even yeast (candida) infestation secondary to antibiotic therapy. Research on the beneficial effects of probiotics in AAD and CDI (aka, C. difficile and C. diff) is not limited to the United States. Research on the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy for these conditions has been reported on in India, Pakistan, China, and Latin America and throughout Europe; thus making adjunctive probiotic use a global phenomenon. 1-6 As a result, the concurrence of probiotic administration and antibiotic treatment is increasing worldwide. Although, currently, there are no scientifically documented or medically endorsed guidelines regarding the administration of probiotics during a course of antibiotics-especially in the timing of the doses of each group (the probiotic and the antibiotic)-the consensus among researchers and physicians is to stagger the doses of the probiotic and the antibiotic to enhance efficacy. It is suggested to take the probiotic 2-6 hours after the antibiotic dose throughout the course of antibiotic treatment, and to continue with the probiotic 7-10 days after ending the antibiotic regime. It is also helpful to take probiotics before beginning antibiotic therapy, if possible. In this review, it is also noted that further research on the interaction of probiotics and antibiotics during concurrent use is requisite, and approved guidelines for the concomitant use of certain strains of probiotics with specific antibiotics should be considered. Herein, to address these concerns, two research projects are proposed.Citation: Kerna NA. A complementary medicine approach to augmenting antibiotic therapy: current practices in the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy. Int J Complement Alt Med. 2018;11(2):62-66.A complementary medicine approach to augmenting antibiotic therapy: current practices in the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy Copyright: ©2018 Kerna Citation: Kerna NA. A complementary medicine approach to augmenting antibiotic therapy: current practices in the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy. Int J Complement Alt Med. 2018;11(2):62-66.

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“…The report, Clinical Use of Probiotics: A Survey of Physicians' Beliefs and Practice Patterns stated that "peer practice patterns" influenced the group of physicians that prescribed probiotics; whereas, the group of physicians that did not prescribe probiotics cited the lack of evidence-based research for not doing so [3]. This survey was limited to twenty-seven physicians at Danville Regional Medical Center in Danville, Virginia.…”

Section: The Call For Research In Support Of Select Probiotic Usementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research into the beneficial effects of probiotics in AAD and CDI (aka C. difficile and C. diff) has not been limited to the United States. Studies on the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy for these conditions have been reported in India, Pakistan, China, Latin America, and Europe making adjunctive probiotic use a global phenomenon [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Global Health Preventive Medicine Overture: Select Probiotic Use in the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and the Treatment of C. Difficile and Distinct Tropical Diseases

Kerna¹

2018

SM Prev Med Public Health

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Historically, in the absence of relevant independent scientific research, probiotics have become widely accepted and are being widely recommended and prescribed by healthcare providers and self-prescribed by patients and consumers. In antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), probiotics appear harmless while providing certain benefits. Probiotic use in particular situations and conditions should be considered for a global health proposal.

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Clinical Use of Probiotics: A Survey of Physicians' Beliefs and Practice Patterns

Cited by 6 publications

References 38 publications

Health Professionals’ Knowledge of Probiotics: An International Survey

Health Professionals’ Knowledge of Probiotics: An International Survey

A complementary medicine approach to augmenting antibiotic therapy: current practices in the use of probiotics during antibiotic therapy

Global Health Preventive Medicine Overture: Select Probiotic Use in the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and the Treatment of C. Difficile and Distinct Tropical Diseases

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