Clinical Use of Probiotics: A Survey of Physicians' Beliefs and Practice Patterns

An abstract of study by Ensminger and Haque identifying and describing physicians beliefs and practice patterns regarding the use of probiotics is presented. Of the 27 valid responses (20.8%), 55.6% physicians reported using probiotics in clinical practice (n = 15). Physicians recommending probiotics agreed that probiotics have clinically beneficial effects (p < 0.017) and pose minimal risk (p < 0.003) compared to physicians not recommending probiotics (44.4%). Physicians recommending probiotics were less likely to agree that more evidence is needed (p < 0.012), and indicated "peer practice patterns" (p < 0.032) as prompting their use. Whereas, those not recommending probiotics agreed that "original research articles" (p < 0.006) may convince them to potentially change their practice patterns.