Navigating formula shortages: associations of parental perspectives on transitioning to alternative infant formulas for cow's milk protein allergy during the 2022 national formula shortage

Real-Time Data Collection Utilizing Mobile Technology in Clinical Research: A Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort

INTRODUCTION

Clinical research faces the challenge of declining physician participation in the pursuit of advancing evidence-based medicine. This secondary analysis focuses on the interactive mobile health (mHealth) application's utility as a real-time data collection tool in clinical settings, specifically targeting cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) management. The study assesses the mHealth application's potential to alleviate data collection inefficiencies and improve physician engagement in clinical research.

METHODS

The analysis utilized de-identified survey data from a prospective cohort of 61 physicians who employedan interactive mobile survey application over 12 weeks, documenting 808 patient visits.

RESULTS

Of these physicians, 52 (85%) completed initial and follow-up surveys, with the predominant reason for exclusion being incomplete or non-submission of data. Of the 404 patient surveys collected, 75 (19%) were excluded primarily due to the absence of follow-up information.

CONCLUSION

These results underscore the application's practicality in streamlining clinical data collection, evidenced by the high rate of survey completion and the efficiency of data management among participating physicians. The findings indicate that interactive mobile health applications aided in collecting and managing clinical data, with 85% of physicians completing surveys for initial and follow-up visits. This high completion rate suggests the potential for mobile applications to mitigate traditional barriers to physician participation, such as time constraints and complex data management. The study contributes empirical evidence to the potential of mobile technology in enhancing research efficiency and engagement among physicians in the context of CMPA management. While the results are insightful, further studies are encouraged to extend the utility of the interactive mobile survey application and similar technologies across diverse clinical research areas, reinforcing mobile technology's role in transforming clinical research practices.

Managing cow's milk protein allergy during the 2022 formula shortage: decision-making among pediatric healthcare providers

Introduction

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) affects 2%-7% of infants and is managed with hypoallergenic formulas. The 2022 recalls of infant formulas due to factors including contamination led to specialty formula shortages, highlighting CMPA management challenges. Understanding healthcare providers' (HCPs) decision-making in transitioning to alternative formulas during shortages is crucial. Limited attention has been given to how pediatric physicians make these choices.

Methods

This study utilized US HCPs' de-identified survey data to assess driving factors when switching extensively hydrolyzed formulas during shortages.

Results

104 eligible HCPs participated, including general pediatrics, pediatric allergy/immunology, and pediatric gastroenterology specialists. Safety, tolerability, and efficacy were identified as top factors for switching formulas. Formula 1 was considered well-tolerated, patient-accepted, and safe by all HCPs. Most expressed strong belief in Formula 1's safety and effectiveness.

Discussion

Findings inform CMPA management during shortages, offering guidance to HCPs for suitable formula selection and enhanced infant care.

Impact of the 2022 national formula shortage on clinical decision-making of healthcare providers in switching amino acid formulas for infants with cow's milk protein allergy: a survey-based study

Background

In 2022, the United States experienced a national shortage of infant formula due to a global supply chain crisis and a large-scale domestic formula recall. The existing literature on healthcare providers' (HCPs) clinical decision-making during formula shortages is limited. This study aims to analyze the factors influencing pediatric HCP clinical decision-making when switching between amino acid formulas (AAF) for managing cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in infants under 24 months of age during an unprecedented national formula shortage.

Methods

The study included pediatric HCPs with experience managing CMPA in infants and toddlers under 24 months during the formula shortage from January 2022 to November 2022. A de-identified survey comprising 26 questions examining driving factors used in clinical decision-making was administered to pediatric HCPs using a real-time mobile data collection tool.

Results

Among the surveyed pediatric HCPs (n = 75), the factors most frequently considered as "extremely important" when switching to another AAF included safety (85%), tolerability (73%), and efficacy (83%). No statistically significant differences were found in HCP ratings among the listed examined factors of the four AAFs. The availability of specific formulas was the only factor that exhibited a statistically significant difference in perceived performance among pediatric HCPs when comparing the four AAFs (p < 0.05).

Discussion

This study elucidates the crucial aspects that influenced pediatric HCPs' selection of AAFs for CMPA management during the 2022 formula shortage. The findings highlight the significance of safety, tolerability, efficacy, and availability in the pediatric HCP decision-making processes.