Volume : 7, Issue : 8, August - 2018

A study of knowledge, attitude and practices of COPD in young doctors studying in a medical college of India

Dr. Brahma Prakash, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bharty

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;Background: Several guidelines are available for managing COPD, but only a fraction of patients get diagnosed</p> <div>and treated as per these guidelines.</div> <div>Aim : The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among young doctors about COPD and its</div> <div>management, and to identify parameters that could bene􀃶t from educational interventions.</div> <div>Material and methods: In this single point contact, cross sectional study, Interns and post graduates students and Senior</div> <div>Residents(collectively designated as PGs in study) posted in General medicine department were assessed for their knowledge, attitude and</div> <div>practices of COPD.</div> <div>Results: Eighty two Interns and 41 PGs were enrolled under the study. Majority (86%) identi􀃶ed smoking as single most important cause of</div> <div>COPD. Interns used mainly Chest Radiograph (n=53, 64%), whereas, PGs used Spirometry also along with Chest Radiograph(n=22, 53.6%)</div> <div>more frequently for diagnosing COPD. Thirty percent Interns prescribed inhaled onchodilators in comparison to 95% PGs in their COPD</div> <div>patients. Thirty Six (44%) Interns think antibiotic has a role in managing exacerbation where as only 48% PGs think so. PGs evaluated more</div> <div>frequently their patients for Long term oxygen therapy (29%) as compared to Interns (7.3%) .Sixty eight percent of subjects think that</div> <div>pulmonary rehabilitation can bene􀃶t COPD patients. Only 36.5% doctors think that In􀃸uenza vaccine has some role in management of</div> <div>COPD patients.</div> <div>Conclusions: Doctors during initial years of their clinical practice, underutilize the COPD guidelines and there was also a difference</div> <div>between Interns and PGs on a lot of points regarding knowledge and practices, emphasizing the need to organize increasing CME rounds</div> <div>for those involved in care of COPD patients.</div>