title: Gastroenterologist perceptions of faecal microbiota transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore gastroenterologist perceptions towards and experience with faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey consisting of 17 questions was created to assess gastroenterologists' attitude towards and experience with FMT. This was anonymously distributed in hard copy format amongst attendees at gastroenterology meetings in Australia between October 2013 and April 2014. Basic descriptive statistical analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two clinicians participated. Twenty one percent had previously referred patients for FMT, 8% more than once. Ninety percent would refer patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) for FMT if easily available, 37% for ulcerative colitis, 13% for Crohn's disease and 6% for irritable bowel syndrome. Six percent would not refer any indication, including recurrent CDI. Eighty-six percent would enroll patients in FMT clinical trials. Thirty-seven percent considered the optimal mode of FMT administration transcolonoscopic, 17% nasoduodenal, 13% enema and 8% oral capsule. The greatest concerns regarding FMT were: 42% lack of evidence, 12% infection risk, 10% non infectious adverse effects/lack of safety data, 10% aesthetic, 10% lack of efficacy, 4% disease exacerbation, and 2% inappropriate use; 6% had no concerns. Seventy seven percent believed there is a lack of accessibility while 52% had an interest in learning how to provide FMT. Only 6% offered FMT at their institution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite general enthusiasm, most gastroenterologists have limited experience with, or access to, FMT. The greatest concerns were lack of supportive evidence and safety issues. However a significant proportion would refer indications other than CDI for FMT despite insufficient evidence. These data provide guidance on where education and training are required.
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Sudarshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paramsothy
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Alissa J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Borody
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van den Bogaerde
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Rupert Wl
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Watson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Hazel M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Nadeem O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Kaakoush
authors.affiliation: Sudarshan Paramsothy, Alissa J Walsh, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kamm
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000628:therapy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000628:therapy; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000628:therapy*; D000069467:Fecal Microbiota Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005762:Gastroenterology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D010465:Perception
keywords: Clostridium difficile; Faecal microbiota transplantation; Gastroenterologist; Inflammatory bowel disease; Perceptions