For IBS patients, better diagnosis equals better treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often treated in a primary care setting. Primary care physicians with a solid understanding of the symptoms of IBS and its treatment options are in a better position to care for these patients.

In this osteopathic CME course, Amy Foxx-Orenstein, DO, professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, and William D. Chey, MD, director of digestive disorders at the University of Michigan Health System, guide participants through three cases of patients dealing with IBS.

‘Not all patients are going to be able to see a gastroenterologist’

“We approached these cases keeping in mind that not all patients are going to be able to see a gastoenterologist,” Dr. Foxx says, noting that the course provides guidance for initial management of IBS and for recognizing cases where patients don’t respond to dietary modification or over-the-counter medications.

The target audience for this course includes physicians, gastroenterologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other professionals with an interest in IBS care and treatment.

IBS is more often seen in people under age 50 and in women, according to the Mayo Clinic. The disorder is divided into three categories, based on the symptoms present: constipation-predominant (IBS-C), diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D) or mixed.

Learning objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive 1.5 AOA Category 1-B CME credits. Participants are also eligible to receive AMA CME credit for the course. According to the learning objectives, at the end of the activity, participants should be able to:

• Establish a timely diagnosis of IBS based upon diagnostic criteria.
• Incorporate shared decision-making and individualized patient education into clinical encounters.
• Individualize treatment plans for patients with IBS-C based upon clinical data, guidelines, and recommendations.
• Tailor treatment plans for patients with IBS-D based on the best available evidence on current therapies, clinical guidelines, and recommendations.

Enroll in the course here.

Further reading:

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