Evaluation of family physicians’ knowledge level, attitudes and behaviours on Asthma, COPD

Abstract

Objective: The most common complaints about chest diseases that we encounter in family practice centers are of asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thus, it was aimed to evaluate the attitudes, behaviors and knowledge level of family physicians on asthma and COPD. Methods: Our research is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Our study was conducted between September-November 2019 by including family physicians, family physician research assistants and family physician specialists. 387 physicians participated in the study. The 35-question survey in our study consists of sociodemographic data and consists of questions aiming to evaluate the knowledge level, attitudes and behaviors on asthma-COPD. Results: A total of 387 family physicians including 251 family physicians, 31 family physician specialists and 105 family physician research assistants were included in this study. When the rates of using the spirometry device in suspected asthma-COPD, were compared, the difference between family medicine research assistants and family physicians was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). When the rates of answer to the “Would you give pneumococcal and influenza vaccines to your patients over 65 years of age?” question were compared, the difference between family medicine specialist and family medicine research assistants and family physicians was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001) Conclusion: According to our study, it was seen that family physicians do not possess sufficient knowledge about asthma-COPD and there are severe shortcomings in diagnosis and treatment stages. Active, applied training seminars should be given importance in primary care, practical guides that physicians can easily reach and communication channels with chest diseases specialists should be increased.

Keywords

• Family Practice
• Knowledge
• Attitude
• Asthma
• COPD

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