Dr. Marina Abdel Malak, MD, CCFP,

is a Family Physician in Mississauga, Ontario. She has served on several committees and groups, including The Primary Care Network and Collaborative Mental Health Network. She has a passion for medical education, patient empowerment, and increasing awareness about the relationship between mental, emotional, and physical health. Dr. Abdel Malak is highly involved in quality improvement initiatives, and her research interests include strategies to support physician wellness, patient self-management, and optimizing physician education.

CLINICAL TOOLS

Abstract: Chronic constipation is a common condition seen by primary care physicians. In order to create an effective treatment plan, physicians must obtain a thorough history about the patient's current bowel patterns, interventions that they have tried on their own, and how effective these have been. Afterwards, physicians should utilize an organized approach to treat the constipation using pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Educating the patient and following up to reassess and adjust the treatment plan ensures that the constipation is adequately addressed.
Key Words: constipation; digestion; patient education.

Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim MAINPRO-M2 Credits for this unaccredited educational program.

www.cfpc.ca/Mainpro_M2

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Pre-test CME Quiz Post-test CME Quiz
1. Constipation is a commonly seen condition in primary care
2. Obtaining a thorough patient history is essential to creating a successful treatment plan
3. Pharmacological options for constipation include osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, and enemas or suppositories
4. Non pharmacological interventions include lifestyle adjustments such as exercise, hydration, fibre intake, and maintaining a healthy bowel routine
Physicians must obtain a thorough history about their patient's current bowel patterns, interventions that they have tried on their own, and how effective these have been, in order to create an effective treatment plan.
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Related Terms: Gastrointestinal Diseases, Urogenital Disorders, constipation, digestion, patient education
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