Medical students’ perception on fecal microbiota transplantation

Abstract

Background Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has become an emergent method in the therapy of several intestinal diseases, mainly in Clostridium difficile recurrence. The training of FMT in medical schools is at its beginning and in countries where FMT is only occasionally carried out, it is important to know the perception of medical students on FMT. Methods We undertook a survey of 3rd year medical students not exposed to official academic information on FMT in order to find out their knowledge, beliefs and attitude toward FMT. A number of 80 students were asked to fill a dedicated online questionnaire. Results 52 out of 80 third year medical students anonymously filled the questionnaire (65% response rate). 34% of respondents reported to have at least a medium level of knowledge regarding FMT. The top indication for FMT identified by 76.9% was C. difficile infection; however, 60% believed FMT to be a promising therapy for a high number of conditions and while almost all respondents (98.1%) would recommend it, 88.4% would explore other options first. Colonoscopy was considered the optimal method of delivery by 42.3%. Only 39% of participants believed that patients would accept FMT, however 71% considered that a more socially acceptable name for the procedure and anonymous donors would increase acceptance rate. The risk of transmitting a disease undetected by donor stool screening procedures to the recipient was the most worrying side effect considered by 75% of respondents. 54% believed that more research is required for FMT to enter clinical practice and 55.7% of respondents would enroll patients in controlled clinical trials. Conclusions Medical students not exposed to educational information on FMT seem to be somewhat well informed about this method and would recommend it to their patients. Students, however, need to know more on the indications of FMT.

Letter: intestinal microbiota transfer—updating the nomenclature to increase acceptability

“…It may also impact the likelihood of doctors to discuss this procedure with their patients. A survey found that 69% of medical students believed it would be easier to discuss FMT with patients if it had a more socially acceptable name 6 . We believe that the meaning of “intestinal” vs “faecal” does not significantly differ in this context and it could be used as a more appealing substitute that reduces stigma associated with the source of the donor material.…”

“…A survey found that 69% of medical students believed it would be easier to discuss FMT with patients if it had a more socially acceptable name. 6 We believe that the meaning of "intestinal" vs "faecal" does not significantly differ in this context and it could be used as a more appealing substitute that reduces stigma associated with the source of the donor material. This change has been suggested previously to overcome the negative connotations and confusion surrounding the use of "faecal".…”

Romanian National Guideline on Translating Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Applications related to Clostridioides difficile Infections into the Local Clinical Practice

“…In Romania, isolated cases successfully managed using FMT [9] and one prospective study comprising 30 patients with recurrent CDI [10] was reported. Moreover, a recent study performed in one tertiary center in Romania revealed some aspects regarding FMT perception among medical students that require improvement [11]; consequently, better knowledge on this procedure needs to be promoted among Romanian practitioners.…”

Evaluating the knowledge on microbiome and dysbiosis in allergic diseases among medical sciences students in Saudi Arabia

“…Similarly, medical sciences students in Iran also had adequate general knowledge about probiotics, but their awareness of commercially available products and, consequently, their consumption of these items was low [ 21 ]. Concerning FMT, a survey of medical students in Romania revealed that only one-third of the participants had an acceptable level of knowledge about this procedure [ 22 ]. FMT knowledge in a large cohort of Chinese medical students also appeared to be insufficient [ 23 ].…”