Director of Clinical Education Midwestern University Physician Assistant Program Glendale, Arizona, United States
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and burdensome disorder that remains poorly understood, leading to delayed diagnosis, impaired quality of life, and substantial healthcare costs. This CME session aims to provide a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and management of IBS in the primary care setting. The intent of this session is three-fold; 1) advance clinicians’ understanding of the complex biopsychosocial process, 2) advocate for the use of a positive diagnostic strategy rather than a diagnosis of exclusion, and 3) promote a multimodal treatment approach that includes dietary/lifestyle behavioral modifications, pharmacologic therapies, and psychotherapies, when appropriate. As the armamentarium of prescription agents approved for IBS continues to expand, this session will offer an updated overview of medical management.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to:
Exercise the knowledge and skills to confidently diagnose and manage IBS
Utilize the Rome IV symptoms-based criteria and selective laboratory testing to support a positive diagnostic strategy
Incorporate a multimodal treatment approach with a focus on a therapeutic clinician-patient relationship
