The diagnosis and management of non-specific chronic abdominal pain can be challenging. For many patients you may suspect irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the cause, but how can you be sure?

This one-hour webinar features three experts covering different aspects of IBS with our GP facilitator. Content covered includes:

• How a history and physical examination can help determine whether further investigations, such as imaging, are needed.
• How psychological support can help patients cope with their disorder.
• When a referral to a dietitian may be helpful.

Reading & resources

Health professionals

• IBS webinar slides
• Diagnostic Online Tool for GPs
• Resources/clinical guidelines
• Resources and tools

Patients

• Low FODMAP Diet App,
  
• Low FODMAP Diet Booklet,
• Online training
• FODMAP Dietitians Directory
• Health information factsheets

Meet the experts

Join our GP facilitator as he asks three experts some of the questions that typically arise in general practice when a patient presents with chronic non-specific abdominal pain.

Dr Brett Montgomery (GP facilitator)
Brett is an academic and clinical GP. He teaches medical students about general practice at the University of WA. As a clinician he sees a variety of patients in a metropolitan GP practice. His interest in rational use of investigations has led him to be a GP member of the editorial panel for Diagnostic Imaging Pathways, an Australian resource which guides clinicians in imaging decision-making.

Dr Rebecca Burgell 
Dr Rebecca Burgell is a consultant gastroenterologist with an interest in inflammatory bowel disease and functional gastrointestinal disorders. She is the Head of the Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Service and medical lead of the home enteral nutrition program at Alfred Health. She is actively involved in clinical research, with particular interest in exploring novel models of care for patients with functional bowel disorders. Dr Burgell is also an adjunct senior lecturer at Monash University.  

Associate Professor Louise Stone
Louise Stone is a GP and medical educator with a special interest in mental health. Louise is Specialist Lead (Rural and Remote Practice) for mental health at the Health Education and Training Institute (HETI), and Clinical Associate Professor in the Academic Unit of General Practice at the Australian National University medical school.

Dr Jane Muir 
Dr Jane Muir is currently Head of Translational Nutrition Science in the Department of Gastroenterology, Central Clinical School, Monash University. She is a trained dietitian with a PhD in biochemistry and has over 25 years’ experience in the area of nutrition research. Her major focus has been on the research and creation of the low-FODMAP diet.

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Assess patients presenting with chronic abdominal pain to decide if imaging is necessary
  
• Discuss the benefits and harms of an imaging modality with patients if imaging is appropriate, to inform the role of imaging in diagnosis
• Use Rome IV criteria to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome to minimise unnecessary investigations
• Implement dietary and psychological therapies to better manage patients presenting with irritable bowel syndrome