Perceptions and Practices of Primary Care Providers in Europe and the US in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Multinational Survey.

Background: The knowledge and proficiency of primary care practitioners (PCPs) in diagnosing and managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remain generally low and variable internationally. This variability is partly due to a lack of familiarity with the Rome Foundation diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines for this condition.

Methods: We conducted an electronic survey of PCPs in the United States and nine European countries to assess their understanding of IBS pathophysiology; the use of Rome IV criteria in diagnosis, knowledge of and frequency in prescribing various recommended treatments; and the likelihood of referring patients with suspected IBS to subspecialists.

Evidence-Based Medicine Culture, Curriculum, and Program Outcomes: A CERA Study.

Background: Limited faculty development is a barrier to advancing evidence-based medicine (EBM) education. This study sought to describe program director perception of EBM culture in family medicine residency training and to assess the association among structured faculty roles, EBM curricula, and specific resident outcomes including publications in EBM.

Methods: Members of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine EBM collaborative drafted survey questions based on a literature review.

Imprecise Clinical Assessments and Inaccurate Grades: Family Medicine Clerkship Director Perspectives.

Background And Objectives: As application to residency programs becomes increasingly competitive, educational leaders face growing student concern about imprecise clinical assessments and clerkship grades.

Methods: As part of a large annual survey of family medicine clerkship directors (FMCDs), 10 questions were disseminated in May 2023 about perceived levels of imprecise assessments by faculty. We aimed to determine to what extent respondents felt their institution's evaluation system propagated inaccurate grading.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Male Hypogonadism.

Testosterone deficiency, or male hypogonadism, is a clinical syndrome that can be defined as persistently low serum testosterone levels in the setting of symptoms consistent with testosterone deficiency. Studies suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may improve sexual function, depressive symptoms, bone density, and lean body mass. Evidence is conflicting regarding its effect on cardiovascular events and mortality.

Storylines of family medicine VII: family medicine across the lifespan.

e is a 12-part series of thematically linked mini-essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'VII: family medicine across the lifespan', authors address the following themes: 'Family medicine maternity care', 'Seeing children as patients brings joy to work', 'Family medicine and the care of adolescents', 'Reproductive healthcare across the lifespan', 'Men's health', 'Care of older adults', and 'Being with dying'. May readers appreciate the range of family medicine in these essays.

Current Procedural Practices of Family Medicine Teaching Physicians.

Background And Objectives: Proficiency in procedural care achieved during residency is a major driver of family physician scope of practice. To date, no inventory exists of the advanced procedures and clinical skills performed by teaching family physicians. This study comprises the first such survey and assesses the attitude of respondents toward the importance of family physicians performing procedures.

Socially Distanced Teaching: Faculty Feedback on Teaching During Telemedicine.

Background: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the perceptions of clinical faculty while working with medical students in a novel setting of virtual care following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activity: A survey of faculty, fellows, and residents was conducted to assess educators' perceptions of virtual teaching before trying it and after 3 months of experience.

Results: Perceived effectiveness of teaching students acute care significantly improved as did perceived effectiveness of teaching chronic care.

A Narrative Review of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea: A Primer for Primary Care Providers.

Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is a chronic disorder of gut-brain interaction, characterized by recurrent abdominal pain in association with more frequent, loose stools. The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) includes disordered gut motility, alterations in gut microbiota, neural-hormonal system abnormalities, immune reactivity, and visceral hypersensitivity. Timely diagnosis of IBS-D can be achieved easily using clinical criteria.

AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on the Pharmacological Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea.

Background & Aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder associated with significant disease burden. This American Gastroenterological Association Guideline is intended to support practitioners in decisions about the use of medications for the pharmacological management of IBS with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D) and is an update of a prior technical review and guideline.

Methods: The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was used to assess evidence and make recommendations.

AGA Clinical Practice Guideline on the Pharmacological Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation.

Background & Aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of gut-brain interaction associated with significant disease burden. This American Gastroenterological Association guideline is intended to support practitioners in decisions about the use of medications for the pharmacological management of IBS-C and is an update of a prior technical review and guideline.

Methods: The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework was used to assess evidence and make recommendations.