title: Infant gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD): Australian GP attitudes and practices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and practices of Australian general practitioners (GPs) regarding infant gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) diagnosis and management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A national cross-sectional survey, involving a random sample of currently practising Australian GPs (n = 2319) was undertaken between July and September 2011. GPs attitudes and management of infant GORD were surveyed via an online and paper-based 41-item questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 400 responses were analysed (17.24% response rate). The majority of GPs employed empirical trials of acid-suppression medication and/or lifestyle modifications to diagnose infant GORD. GPs frequently recommended dietary modification despite the belief that they were only moderately effective at best. In addition, GPs frequently prescribed acid-suppression medication, despite concerns regarding their safety in the infant population. Other GP concerns included the lack of clinical guidelines and education for GPs about infant GORD, as well as the level of evidence available for the safety and efficacy of diagnostic tests and treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the important role Australian GPs play in the diagnosis and management of infant GORD, high-level evidence-based guidelines for GPs are lacking. Consequently, GPs engage in diagnostic and management practices despite their concerns regarding the safety and effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Berwick and Peninsula Campuses, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.affiliation: Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Berwick and Peninsula Campuses, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Ahuva Y
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0892-5318
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hinds
authors.affiliation: Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Berwick and Peninsula Campuses, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Kay M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Berwick and Peninsula Campuses, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piterman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
keywords: attitudes; gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; health knowledge; infant; pediatrics; practice; primary health care