Chronic disease management professionals‘ COPD Knowledge: A survey in China's rural health centres

Abstract

BackgroundHealth professionals in rural primary care settings who engaged in non-communicable disease (NCD) management play a critical role in prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Understanding their COPD relevant knowledge can provide evidence for informing COPD prevention and management enhancement strategies in primary care. ObjectiveTo understand the knowledge of COPD among health professionals who engaged in NCD management in rural health centres. MethodsIn June 2021, 20 township hospitals in Zigong, Sichuan Province were randomly selected. A self-developed survey questionnaire was administrated to all health professionals who engaged in NCD management, including general practitioners(GPs), public health professionals, and rural doctors. The participants were asked to choose correct answers on a number of questions regarding knowledge of NCD management. ResultsAll participants (n=474) completed the survey questionnaires. The respondents consisted of 68 GPs (14.4 %), 177 public health professionals (37.3 %), and 229 rural doctors (48.3 %). Regarding comprehensive COPD knowledge, GPs had a statistically significant higher percentage of correctness than rural doctors (35.3% vs 7.4 %, P < 0.017), and public health workers also outperformed rural doctors (31.6% vs 7.4 % , P < 0.017). In identifying risk factors for COPD, GPs achieved a significantly higher percentage of correctness than rural doctors(73.5% vs 46.3 % , P < 0.017), as did public health workers (66.7% vs 46.3 %, P < 0.017). In the assessment of diagnosis and evaluation of COPD, GPs' percentage of correctness was significantly higher (38.2 %) compared to public health workers (20.3 %) and rural doctors (3.9 %, P < 0.017), with public health workers also exceeding rural doctors (P < 0.017). In terms of treatment strategies for COPD, both GPs (30.9 %) and public health workers (19.2 %) showed significantly higher percentage of correctness than rural doctors (6.6 %, P < 0.017). Regarding follow-up management for COPD, public health workers exhibited a significantly higher percentage of correctness than both GPs (46.9% vs 29.4 % ) and rural doctors (46.9% vs 14.4 %, P < 0.017), with GPs higher than rural doctors(P < 0.017). ConclusionThe health professionals who engaged in NCD management in primary care settings in rural areas of Zigong city in Sichuan Province demonstrate inadequate knowledge of COPD, especially in terms of diagnosis, evaluation, treatment strategies, and follow-up management. Levels of COPD understanding varies between different types of health professionals who engaged in NCD management, with rural doctors displaying lower awareness. Based on the findings, the authors suggest improving the knowledge of rural health professionals on prevention and management of COPD.