Cleveland Clinic Children's Outcomes

The Functional Constipation Shared Medical Appointment (SMA), casually known as "Poop School," is an interdisciplinary group treatment program for pediatric encopresis (delayed toilet training for bowel movements) and functional constipation. Practitioners from the departments of Pediatric Behavioral Health, Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Child Life cooperate in treating children and their parents. The purpose of the Functional Constipation SMA is to address the medical, emotional and behavioral factors that impact children’s toileting difficulties. The program consists of 4 weekly appointments, plus follow-up appointments as needed. Parents and children are seen in separate groups to tailor the information provided. The treatment model was initiated after identification of a need to improve patient access and parent support for this condition.