The role of primary care physicians in early diagnosis and treatment of chronic gastrointestinal diseases

Abstract

Gastrointestinal diseases encompass conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines. These conditions are prevalent in general practice, with common diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease. Primary care physicians encounter a broad spectrum of clinical problems, necessitating a wide range of knowledge for accurate diagnosis and prescription of medications.It is crucial to recognize the role of primary care physicians in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal diseases, given their frequent presentation in primary care settings. This review aims to provide an overview of the role of primary care physicians in the diagnosis and management of various chronic gastrointestinal diseases.Scientific websites and databases were utilized to search for relevant articles. Various keywords were employed in different combinations to retrieve all possible articles related to the current subject. The findings incorporated in this review consist of original articles, review articles, and systematic reviews written in the English language that address our objectives.The selected articles underwent a thorough review based on inclusion criteria. The articles included in this review were published between 2010 and 2022. Despite the availability of original research and reviews, there is insufficient information on the role of primary care physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Physicians may lack knowledge regarding the proper management and diagnosis of these conditions; however, their roles can be enhanced through increased education and awareness