Clinical Care Pathways

Abdominal symptoms are common in the general population, up to 40% have dyspepsia or GERD (indigestion and reflux) while 15% have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many of these concerns require a multi-model approach, with dietary interventions central to symptom improvement, as well as exercise, adequate sleep and stress control (very complex in and of itself).

There are long waits to see gastroenterology for these common problems, particularly when patients do not report concerning symptoms (that is, no 'red flags' such as weight loss, rectal bleeding, anemia or iron deficiency), and therefore, either while patients wait or alternatively, they may experience improvement in their symptoms under the care of their primary care physician, if the following clinical care support tools or algorithms are used to guide management.

We have jointly developed seven clinical care pathways that can be downloaded here, to help guide the care of your patients:

CHRONIC ABDOMINAL PAIN

CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

CHRONIC DIARRHEA

DYSPEPSIA

GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

HELICOBACTER PYLORI

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

The Calgary Liver Unit has developed several algorithms and one pathway for common liver issues:

NON ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) [Cover Letter] [Requisition]

Screening for Chronic Liver Disease

Esophageal Varices

Testing and Treatment of Hepatitis B

Management of Hepatitis B in Immunosuppressed Patients

Provincially, the Digestive Health Strategic Clinical Network has developed a primary care pathway for management of hepatitis C with input from members of the Calgary Liver Unit.

Provincial Hepatitis C Treatment Pathway [Case Form] [Treatment Notification Form]

These are meant as clinical care SUPPORTS and physician judgment and assessment is a fundamental part of the care provided - these do NOT replace this judgement and act only as TOOLS in management.