INTRODUCTION: Celiac disease (CD), an inflammatory condition of the small bowel, is now
recognized as the most common of the autoimmune disorders (Kenrick & Day, 2014). Unfortunately, due to poor awareness among primary care providers (PCPs) this disease remains highly underdiagnosed despite its increasing prevalence (Catassi & Fasano, 2008). Aims of this quality improvement project were to examine current knowledge and practices of nurse practitioners in the primary care setting that influence the screening and diagnosis of CD. METHODS: A 32-item survey was sent out to nurse practitioner primary care providers (NP- PCPs) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex over a four-week period. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, knowledge and clinical practices of nurse practitioners as it relates to CD diagnosis. Data was analyzed using SPSS and descriptive statistics.
RESULTS: Eighteen valid responses were received for analysis. The majority of respondents reported having no familiarity with the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Two thirds of the respondents reported their education did not properly prepare them to accurately diagnose celiac disease. The vast majority also reported they do not test patients, pediatric or adult, using any celiac related blood test. The same results were true for patients being sent for intestinal biopsy. Although able to list typical symptoms of CD, many respondents were unaware of atypical symptoms. Most also omitted family history as important when considering celiac related testing. CONCLUSIONS: Overall NP-PCPs are not aware of and therefore do not follow clinical guidelines related celiac disease. It is clear that NP-PCPs need to be made aware of the prevalence of this disease and should be directed to follow evidence-based practice guidelines in their primary care practices. One step for doing this includes providing better education for NP- PCP students. Educators should include lectures or discussions about CD in their curriculum and provide students with resources such as the NICE and ACG guidelines. For practicing NPs, free continuing education can be offered. Lastly, clinicians who are aware of the high rates of underdiagnosis can present CD related information at conferences and meetings.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/626661 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Reimann, Morgan, Reimann, Morgan |
| Contributors | Martin-Plank, Lori, Martin-Plank, Lori, Wiley, Luz, Hepworth, Joseph |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Electronic Dissertation |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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