Food sensitivities are not always being recognized by health care providers

Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.: Food sensitivities are not always being recognized by health care providers
Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.): no
If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:
What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.): 20-50 year old patients suffering with atopic dermatitis related to food sensitivities
Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)
Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.): Prevention of autoimmune diseases
Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.: Risks of depression, anxiety, and autoimmune disease

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

yes

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

AHRQ Priority Populations

Federal Health Care Program

Describe why this topic is important.: Uncontrolled food sensitivities can be debilitating to the patients physical and emotional state. There are many autoimmune diseases associated with food sensitivities and disease can be prevented with avoidance of food culprit, and slow introduction after a designated period of time food is eliminated depending on the severity scale of the food sensitivity.
What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.): The hope is to make health care practitioners more aware of patient problems with food sensitivities.
Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.): yes
If yes, please explain:: Many clinicians and policy-makers are uneducated on the severity of the problem related with the severity of food sensitivities in the community. Clinicians are prescribing drugs to control the sensitivity instead of educating patient on importance of rotating foods, and creating a food diary to figure out offending food sensitivity.

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?: Will help educate practitioners to be more aware of problem of food sensitivities
Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.: This week please
Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.: Will help everyone with food sensitivities

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate): Will help educate practitioners to be more aware of problem of food sensitivities

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?: Individual

Effective Health Care Program