ASTIM VE ASTIM ATAĞINDA ÇOCUK SAĞLIĞI VE HASTALIKLARI HEKİMLERİNİN BİLGİ DÜZEYİ

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.