Ahead Of The Curve: Performance Improvement In IBS And Chronic Constipation Programme Launched By Texas Academy Of Family Physicians And TCL Institute

Main Category: Irritable-Bowel Syndrome
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice;  Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 28 Apr 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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The Texas Academy of Family Physicians and TCL Institute, LLC has announced the launch of a performance improvement (PI) initiative designed to improve primary care provider (PCP) management of chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Titled "Ahead of the Curve: Performance Improvement in IBS and Chronic Constipation," this interactive, longitudinal program will enable each provider (doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner) to assess his/her current practice in managing patients with chronic constipation and IBS. Then, in conjunction with continuing medical education (CME) activities, participants will enhance their understanding and implementation of the latest evidence-based standards for diagnosis and management of chronic constipation and IBS.

"This performance improvement initiative gives the clinician an opportunity to review and reflect on his or her own practice after reviewing evidence-based information on the very important topics of chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome," explained Dr. Suzanne Rose, professor of medical education and medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. "This is a wonderful opportunity for self-directed education that can result in practice changes and improved patient outcomes."

The PI initiative will enhance the quality of care for patients with chronic constipation and IBS via:

• An initial self-assessment survey and chart review to assess each provider's management of chronic constipation and IBS, which will be compared with the latest evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and treatment
  
  
• An individualized action plan designed by each provider to enhance his/her knowledge of chronic constipation and IBS through CME activities including a radio series on ReachMD, Internet-based case studies, and live meetings; these activities also will offer take-home resources to improve providers' patient care, such as patient education handouts and patient questionnaires about functional bowel disorders from the Rome III committee
  
  
• A final self-assessment survey and chart review 3 months later, to evaluate each provider's improvement in practice performance

"This performance improvement initiative will provide PCPs an opportunity to evaluate and improve the quality of care they deliver to patients with chronic constipation and IBS - conditions that are very common but underdiagnosed and often suboptimally managed," explained Dr. David A. Peura, professor of medicine at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center and past president of the American Gastroenterological Association. "They can do this in the context of their practice without ever having to leave their office."

Participants who complete the entire PI initiative will earn 20 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM from the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, with additional credit hours for completing the activities in the individualized action plan. The entire program is supported by an educational grant from Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. For more information or to register, visit http://www.totalmeded.com/pi.

Source:
Cristina Bush
TCL Institute, LLC

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