Chronic diarrhoea in primary care: a practical framework that actually works

Presenter: A/Prof Mark Ward, Gastroenterologist Bio: A/Prof Mark Ward is a gastroenterologist caring for patients with all types of gastrointestinal problems. He has an interests in inflammatory bowel disease and bowel cancer screening. A/Prof Ward provides face-to-face and telehealth consultations out of his Glen Iris rooms and perform gastroscopy and colonoscopy regularly at Cabrini Malvern, where he also participates in the out-of-hours roster. A/Prof Ward works at the Alfred Hospital and conduct clinical research through the Alfred and Monash University in inflammatory bowel disease.

Learning outcomes:

1. Apply a structured clinical approach to the assessment of adults with chronic diarrhoea, distinguishing functional from organic causes.
2. Discuss the most appropriate investigations, including faecal calprotectin, to avoid unnecessary or low-yield testing.
3. Identify patients who require specialist referral, including recognition of commonly overlooked diagnoses such as microscopic colitis and bile acid diarrhoea.