A cross sectional survey to assess healthcare professionals' attitudes to and understanding of probiotics

Abstract

Consumers' belief in the benefits of probiotics is influenced by information they receive from healthcare professionals (HCPs). HCPs therefore need to be aware of the current evidence base in order to advise consumers appropriately. This survey aimed to establish HCP attitudes towards, and understanding of, the use of probiotics in healthcare. An online, cross-sectional survey was distributed to dietitians, paediatricians and General Practitioners (GPs) through three medical/health professional bodies: the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the European Society for Primary Care in Gastroenterology (ESPCG) and the European Paediatric Association (EPA). Paper copies of the survey were distributed at relevant medical congresses. There were 1360 respondents representing all three groups of HCPs. The majority of respondents (86.3%, n=1068) agreed that probiotics have a place in clinical medicine and were likely to recommend them (72.1%, n=882), yet only 55.7% (n=230) of dietitians were familiar with the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition of a probiotic. There was a positive, however, weak correlation between a high level of training and the likelihood of a respondent recommending a probiotic (r=0.24, p<0.005). Inadequate knowledge appeared to be a limiting factor in patients receiving evidence-based information and appropriate recommendations. The more concerns an HCP had, the less likely they were to recommend a probiotic regularly (p<0.005). The majority (91%, n=1099) of respondents cited a need for more education. HCPs recognise that probiotics have a place in clinical medicine and would recommend them if they had more information to support informed decision-making within patient care.