Evaluation of Knowledge Among Pediatricians on Childhood Asthma and Asthma Attack

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Asthma is one of the most common acute and chronic conditions in children. It has several characteristic features including wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. It is essential to educate general pediatricians about childhood asthma and its treatment to standardize care. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and practice of pediatricians about childhood asthma and its treatment. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 157 pediatricians (64.3% woman, mean age 30.5 ± 5.3 ) were enrolled. A questionnaire of 45 questions about asthma and asthma attack were applied to the pediatricians. Results: Although the knowledge level of specialist physicians was higher than the physician assistants, this difference was not statistically significant (p> 0.05) except specialist pyhsicans gave statistically more correct answers to acute asthma management question than assitants (p<0.05) Seventy nine percent of the pediatricians (n: 124) were physician assistants and 21% (n=33) were specialists. The scores and frequencies obtained from the correct answers were similar in terms of gender, time worked as a pediatrician (<10 years / > 10 years) and being a specialist or assistant pediatricians. Conclusion: Although there were some discrepancies between guidelines and clinical practice, most of the assistant or specialist pediatricians participating in the study had sufficient knowledge in the treatment of childhood asthma and asthma attacks. Gender, time worked as a pediatrician, and being a specialist or assistant pediatrician had no effect on knowledge level of asthma and asthma attack. It is believed that the requirements of postgraduate education to provide children more standardized treatment.

Keywords

• asthma
• asthma attack
• pediatrician
• knowledge survey

ASTIM VE ASTIM ATAĞINDA ÇOCUK SAĞLIĞI VE HASTALIKLARI HEKİMLERİNİN BİLGİ DÜZEYİ

Abstract

Giriş ve Amaç: Astım çocukluk çağının sık rastlanan akut ve kronik hastalıklarından birisidir. Hışıltı, nefes darlığı, göğüs ağrısı ve öksürük gibi çok çeşitli klinik bulguları mevcuttur. Genel pediatri uzmanlarınından çocukluk çağı astımı ve tedavisi konusunda yeterli bilgi düzeyi etkin kontrol için gereklidir. Bu çalışmada, pediatristlerin çocukluk çağı astımı, astım atağı ve tedavisi konusunda bilgi ve uygulamalarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmamıza 157 çocuk hastalıkları ve sağlığı uzman veya asistan hekiminin katıldı. Astım ve astım atağı ile ilgili toplam 45 soruluk anket hekimlere uygulandı. Bulgular: Uzman hekimlerin asistan hekimlere biraz daha fazla doğru cevap vermelerine rağmen anlamlı bir fark saptanmadı (p:0,99). Cinsiyetin (p: 0,185) ve hekimlik süresinin (p:0,662) teste doğru cevap verme açısından anlamlı bir farklılık oluşturmadığı görüldü. Sonuç : Astım kılavuzları ve pratik yaklaşımda bir kısım farklılıklar olsada çocuk hekimlerinin çoğu yaklaşımlarının kılavuzlara uygunluk gösterdiği saptanmıştır. Hekimlik süresi, cinsiyet ve uzman yada asistan olmanın anlamlı farklılık yaratmadığı görülmüştür. Ancak astımlı çocuklara daha etkin ve standartize tedavi verilebilmesi için mezuniyet sonrası eğitimin gerektiği düşünülmektedir.

Keywords

• astım
• astım atak
• çocuk hekimi
• bilgi düzeyi

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