Therapeutic management of probiotics and prebiotic products to modulate gut microbiome by healthcare services

The prescription and recommendation of prebiotics and probiotics by healthcare professionals remain an evolving area of research. Despite increasing recognition of their benefits in modulating the gut microbiome, healthcare professionals including dietitians, often lack standardised guidelines and sufficient training to integrate them into practice. Barriers to implementation include insufficient clinical evidence, cost, uncertainty regarding strain-specific efficacy, and a lack of consensus on appropriate therapeutic applications. Studies indicate that while many healthcare professionals acknowledge the potential benefits of these products, their hesitancy arises from insufficient supporting research evidence and associated education. Future efforts should concentrate on enhancing clinical guidelines, improving educational programs for healthcare professionals, and conducting large-scale trails to establish evidence-based recommendations. Additionally, integrating gut microbiome sequencing into clinical decision-making could improve personalised nutrition and optimise the prescription of prebiotics and probiotics. Further research is necessary to address knowledge gaps and promote effective, evidence-based use of these interventions by healthcare professionals. This review explores current prescribing practices, knowledge, and perceptions of healthcare professionals regarding prebiotics and probiotics with a particular focus on the evidence, education, and implementation gaps that may influence their clinical application.