Health Professionals’ Knowledge of Probiotics: An International Survey

Abstract

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.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Understanding of Probiotics Among Pediatricians in Different Regions of Saudi Arabia

“…In response to the question of how respondents prescribed probiotics, most (58%) reported that probiotics should be taken before a meal with no signi cant difference P-value among pediatricians. Similar to the observations by Tompkins et al, Sabina et al con rmed the highest survival of probiotics if given with a meal or before a meal, and the lowest survival if taken after a meal [7,17]. These results emphasize the importance for healthcare professionals to be properly educated and updated on probiotics because improved knowledge about probiotics would lead to increased prescriptive con dence [16].…”

“…Despite the widespread and easily accessible evidence that supports the bene ts of probiotic use, health professionals may hesitate to recommend probiotics to patients when they receive con icting messages [6]. Health professionals may have di culties in processing large volumes of information that are generated by commercial enterprises about the bene ts and use of probiotics [7].…”

“…Although there is growing global interest in the eld, little is known about practicing pediatricians' perceptions regarding the use and e cacy of probiotics [7]. Information describing how often pediatricians encounter probiotic usage in their practices and their speci c recommendations to their patients has not previously been reported.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes and Understanding of Probiotics Among Pediatricians in Different Regions of Saudi Arabia

“…In response to the question of how respondents prescribed probiotics, majority (58%) reported that probiotics should be taken before a meal. Similar to the observations by Tompkins et al and Sabina et al con rmed the highest survival of probiotics if given with a meal or before a meal, and the lowest survival if taken after a meal [7,17]. These results emphasize the importance for healthcare professionals to be properly educated and updated on probiotics because improved knowledge about probiotics would lead to increased prescriptive con dence [16].…”

Knowledge, Attitudes and Understanding of Probiotics Among Pediatricians in Different Regions of Saudi Arabia

“…Similar to the observations by Tompkins et al and Sabina et al con rmed the highest survival of probiotics if given with a meal or before a meal, and the lowest survival if taken after a meal [7,17]. These results emphasize the importance for healthcare professionals to be properly educated and updated on probiotics because improved knowledge about probiotics would lead to increased prescriptive con dence [16].…”