Table 1.
Questionnaire items 1–20. Results are represented as frequency (n) and percentage (%)
| Parameter | N | % |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
|
Profession Gastroenterologist and/or internist Medical doctor/ Nurse Medical Laboratory technician Pharmacist |
114 71 34 53 28 |
38.0 23.7 11.3 17.7 9.3 |
|
Familiarity with FMT Yes, I have performed FMT No, I am not familiar but I heard of it No, I am not familiar nor heard of it |
13 287 0 |
4.3 95.7 0 |
| Ethical issues | ||
|
What do you think of FMT?* A promising treatment modality for some diseases The efficacy and safety of FMT is very limited The current data is not sufficient to support the use of FMT I do not know/I am not quite sure |
18 147 88 19 |
6 39 29.3 6.3 |
|
If it is medically indicated and ethically approved, would you refer FMT to patient? Yes It depends (e.g. conventional treatment failure) No |
15 285 0 |
5 95 0 |
|
What is/are the reason/s for you to recommend FMT and which you will also inform patients?* Clinical efficacy Safety Failure of conventional treatment More “natural” and “organic” Avoidance of antibiotics Others |
27 57 145 89 19 81 |
9 19 48.3 29.7 6.3 27 |
|
What’s the reasons for you not to recommend FMT and which you will also inform patients? Unproven treatment and unknown mechanism Infections Long-term risk and safety unknown High expectation from patients puts pressure on physicians Not a standard treatment, easily cause medical litigation Others |
81 114 94 18 121 4 |
27 38 31.3 6 40.3 1.3 |
|
Is FMT overrated (efficacy exaggerated and risk downplayed)? Agree I do not agree I do not know |
62 126 112 |
20.7 42.0 37.3 |
|
Would you inform patients about possible risks? I would inform about all risks I would inform about actual physical risk It depends on the comprehensive ability of the patient |
132 55 113 |
44.0 18.3 37.7 |
|
Do you think FMT has negative effect on patient’s dignity? Agree Disagree I do not know |
129 75 96 |
43.0 25.0 32.0 |
|
What do you think is the optimal modality to deliver FMT? Lower Upper |
300 0 |
100 0 |
|
How to protect privacy/confidentiality?* Both donor and recipient are double-blind Donor should be anonymized Establish standardized fecal microbiota bank FMT patients should have private ward or room Ensure confidentiality of patient information during communication with others |
130 41 27 89 83 |
43.3 13.7 9 29.7 27.7 |
|
Cultural constrains (only for 100 participants) Religion Dietary intake Alcohol consumption |
52 25 23 |
52 25 23 |
| Commercialization | ||
|
What do you think of DIY1 and DTC2 of FMT Worrying It is common in other areas No concerns |
55 244 1 |
18.3 81.3 0.3 |
|
Future application (e.g. skin care) Likely (with concerns) Unlikely Fictional |
48 252 0 |
16.0 84.0 0 |
| Social and regulatory issues of FMT | ||
|
Do you think it is urgent to apply FMT? Yes urgent It should be suspended |
39 261 |
13.0 87.0 |
|
Charging standard for FMT? Yes, ASAP No need |
41 259 |
13.7 86.3 |
|
FMT as first-line for CDI? Yes No |
0 300 |
0 100 |
|
Barriers to FMT promotion?* Unknown mechanism The yuck factor and anesthetic challenges Stained doctor-patient relationship Lack of pharmaceutical investment No official guidelines and regulations |
101 141 23 25 121 |
33.7 13.7 7.7 8.3 40.3 |
| Fecal microbiota bank | ||
|
Ethical aspect(s) concerns* Informed consent mode Privacy protection of personal information De-identification and anonymity of donors Ownership and property of samples Access regulation to data and sample Future use of specimen and re-contact |
143 113 2 103 57 54 |
47.7 37.7 0.7 34.3 19 18 |
|
Justice in allocation of benefits and burden Patients should receive benefits Patients should not I do not care |
117 26 157 |
39 47 52.3 |
1 DIY Do-It-Yourself, 2 DTC Direct-to-Consumer
*Questions were “choose all what apply” so percentages add up to more than 100%