Differences among physicians in the treatment of children with vomiting.
Vomiting is a common pediatric problem. In the absence of a specific condition, the recommended treatment for children with vomiting is clear liquids. We surveyed four groups of physicians to determine who uses this recommended treatment. The groups were: board certified pediatricians (BCP), board certified family practitioners (BCFP), practitioners with pediatric training but without board certification (NBCP), and practitioners without pediatric training (NPT). The questionnaire listed ten treatment choices for each of four different age groups: less than 1, 1-5, 6-10, and greater than 10 years. In all age groups, the percentages of clear liquid treatments prescribed by physicians with pediatric training were higher than the percentages prescribed by physicians without pediatric training (NPT). The opposite pattern was shown for prescribed milk and drug treatments. Treatments other than clear liquid can be ineffective or dangerous, especially to children less than 1. More information about treatment of children with vomiting may be needed by all physicians, particularly those without pediatric training.
Jaudes
P K
PK
Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Illinois.
Christoffel
K K
KK
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010372:Pediatrics; D010820:Physicians; D010821:Physicians, Family; D014839:Vomiting / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*