Attitude Of Medical Doctors Research Articles

Knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of medical doctors toward elderly sexuality in Tunisia

IntroductionThe sexual health of the elderly presents certain particularities to be taken into consideration in the doctor-patient rapport. The aim of our study was to assess physicians’ knowledge and attitudes towards sexuality in the elderly in Tunisia and to determine variables associated with the level of knowledge and the nature of attitudes in this population.ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to assess physicians’ knowledge and attitudes towards sexuality in the elderly in Tunisia and to determine variables associated with the level of knowledge and the nature of attitudes in this population.MethodsA descriptive and analytical study was conducted among specialists and medical residents of all specialties, practicing in Tunisia and recruited anonymously online. We included questions on socio-demographic data, medical specialty and medical training of physicians as well as a French translation of the Aging Sexual Knowlesge and Atttidues Scale (ASKAS). We determined correlations between the socio-demographic and medical training variables and the ASKAS score among participants.ResultsWe included 74 physicians in the study. Sixty-two percent of the doctors surveyed sometimes asked elderly patients about their sexuality (N=46) and the rest of the doctors never mentioned the subject during a medical consultation (N=28). The major obstacles reported when discussing sexuality with the elderly were: a feeling discomfort related to sexuality considered a taboo subject (77%), lack of information and skills (51%) and the duration and setting of the medical consultation considered inadequate (45%). The mean score for the knowledge subcategory of the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Atittudes Scale (ASKAS) was 68.49±5.5 and for the attitudes subcategory was 83.74±4.2. These results indicated a moderate level of knowledge and moderate to negative attitudes.There was a significant and negative correlation between age and the ASKAS knowledge subcategory score (r= -0.75, p=0.026), as well as a significant positive correlation between the knowledge and attitudes subcategories scores and sexology training (p<0.001).The correlation between the knowledge score and the attitudes score was significant, positive, and good (r=0.788, p<0.001): the lower the level of knowledge, the more negative the attitudes regarding elderly sexuality.ConclusionsThere are several gaps in the knowledge and perceptions of Tunisian physicians regarding the sexuality of older subjects. Theoretical teaching and practical anti-ageing training for health professionals are needed.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Whole body donation for teaching in Ghana: The perspectives of medical doctors.

Historically, both donated bodies and unclaimed bodies have been the sources of human bodies for anatomy dissection globally with the latter discouraged for ethical reasons. Ghana lacks well-established body-donation programs, thus relying heavily on unclaimed bodies. Medical doctors benefit foremost from human bodies in their training and therefore should have a better disposition toward body bequeathal. This study assessed the perception, knowledge, and attitude of medical doctors in a Ghanaian institution toward body donation. As the first Ghanaian study on the subject, it provides the foundation for systematic study of the subject in Ghana. An internet-based questionnaire was administered to volunteering medical doctors requesting information on their perception of, knowledge of, and attitude toward whole-body donation. Data were summarized as frequencies. The 200 respondents comprised 1 consultant, 4 specialists, 14 residents, 63 medical officers, and 118 house officers. About 194 (97.0%) were familiar with body donation while 6 (3.0%) were not. Also, 39 (19.5%) were willing to donate their bodies, 98 (49.0%) were unwilling, and 63 (31.5%) undecided. Religion, culture, mishandling of bodies, and lack of awareness were barriers to body donation. Finally, 178 (89.0%) viewed human body dissection as relevant and should remain as part of medical curriculum. Doctors were aware of body donation though only few were willing to donate. Cultural and religious factors were major hindrances to body donation for anatomy education and research, though they were willing to persuade others to participate. Deliberate public education on the subject is required to grow body donation in Ghana.

Comparison of the opinions and attitudes of medical doctors, dentists and mothers toward teething symptoms.

The signs and symptoms associated with teething can be local or systemic. It remains unclear whether the disturbances are caused by the eruption of primary teeth or whether they simply coincide with tooth eruption. Parents and healthcare professionals can have different perceptions about teething symptoms, especially in different cultural or socio-economic contexts. The study aimed to compare the opinions and attitudes of medical doctors, dentists and mothers toward the symptoms of teething. Data about the signs and symptoms was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The questionnaire was mailed in December 2019 to 800 randomly selected medical doctors and dentists working in the Central Aegean Region of Turkey. Mothers of children aged 0-3 years who were referred to the pediatric department were selected for the study. Data from 199 medical doctors (109 family physicians, 90 pediatricians), 293 dentists (169 general dentists, 124 pediatric dentists) and 352 mothers who completed the questionnaire was included in the study. The data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows program. Each participant identified at least one symptom related to teething. Statistically significant differences were found between the 3 groups in terms of symptoms except for stomach ache (p < 0.05). Gingival irritation was the most common symptom among dentists (95.6%) and mothers (70.7%), while irritability was the most common symptom among medical doctors (90.5%). Mothers believed to a greater extent than the other groups that fever, vomiting and cough were associated with teething (p < 0.05), whereas medical doctors tended to point to drooling, irritability, biting/chewing, diarrhea, and ear rubbing more often than the other groups (p < 0.05). In addition, sleep disturbance and loss of appetite were associated with teething less frequently by mothers as compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). In the present study, medical doctors, dentists and mothers reported unproven and controversial associations between teething and certain local or systemic symptoms. Mothers especially were more likely to believe that systemic symptoms that can be confused with other serious diseases were associated with teething.

Attitudes of doctors of medicine and dental medicine towards contacting patients via social networks

Abstract Background As the use of social networking sites (SNSs) has greatly increased among health professionals, it is necessary to investigate their use of SNSs. The aim of this study was to identify the patterns of SNS use for contact with patients between medical doctors (MD) and doctors of dental medicine (DMD) in Croatia. Methods In collaboration with the Croatian Medical Chamber and the Croatian Chamber of Dental Medicine, a quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted on the use of SNSs and the attitudes of MDs and DMDs towards e-professionalism. Data were collected using online questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results A total of 753 responses were processed, 507 (67,3%) MDs and 246 (32,7%) DMDs. DMDs were significantly more likely to visit patients or their family members’ profiles on SNSs (60,6% vs 33,3%, P &amp;lt; 0.001). The main reason for visiting a patient’s or family member’s profile is social communication, which is significantly more common among DMDs (46,3% vs 29,0%, P &amp;lt; 0.002). DMDs are significantly more likely to send friend requests from private SNS profiles to patients or their family members (15,0% DMDs vs 3,4% MDs, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Patients are much more likely to send friendship and connection requests on SNS to DMDs (91,1% DMDs vs 62,7% MDs, P &amp;lt; 0.001) who are also significantly more likely to accept these requests (76,8% DMDs vs 41,5% MDs, P &amp;lt; 0.001). MDs and DMDs would find the presence of e-professionalism guidelines useful (72,2% MDS vs 78,0% DMDs, P = 0.103). Conclusions The results show that DMDs are more open to communicating with patients via SNSs. Results showed a difference between MDs and DMDs in both directions - in sending requests to patients or their family members and in positive responses to their requests for connection. The findings point to the need to develop guidelines for health professionals regarding e-professionalism. Key messages • There are differences between MDs and DMDs toward communicating with patients using SNSs, DMDs being more open to the communication with patients. • There is a need to develop guidelines for health professionals on e-professionalism with emphasis regarding how to professionally communicate with patients on SNSs.

Viral Hepatitis B and C: Knowledge Gaps and Patterns of Preventive Practices Among Medical Doctors in Rivers State, Nigeria.

IntroductionHepatitis B and C viruses can result in both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild acute disease to a serious, lifelong manifestation including liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aims to determine the knowledge and attitudes of medical doctors in Rivers State, Nigeria, to hepatitis B and C as well as their practice for prevention and treatment of the same. We also assessed their practice of universal precaution, provision, and use of personal protective tools.MethodsOne hundred and fifty doctors in both the private and public sectors were interviewed using self-administered questionnaires on viral hepatitis B and C. The questionnaire explored their knowledge and status of vaccination, viral hepatitis treatment, and their practice of universal safety precautions. Their responses were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Data was expressed in means and percentages.ResultsOut of all participants, 96% were aware that viral hepatitis B is preventable, while 46% erroneously believed that there is vaccination against the hepatitis C virus. Only 50% of the respondents were aware of the availability of a cure for hepatitis C infection, and 16% of the participants knew about drugs used for its treatment. While 76% of the doctors had been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus, only 4% had received treatment after testing positive for hepatitis B. Furthermore, nearly all respondents admit practicing universal precaution, especially during venipuncture; however, protective measures such as disposable gloves were not readily available to 20% of our respondents. There was a statistically significant association between sex and duration of practice with knowledge of hepatitis B and C, as well as between practice type and vaccination status.ConclusionThis study shows that knowledge of the treatment of viral hepatitis amongst healthcare practitioners such as doctors is poor, and although universal safety precautions are practiced, personal protective equipment is not readily available for use in our healthcare setting, placing healthcare workers at risk of infections. There is also a need to encourage vaccination amongst healthcare practitioners to protect them against contagious diseases like hepatitis B and C infections.

Perception, knowledge, and attitude of medical doctors in Saudi Arabia about the role of physiotherapists in vestibular rehabilitation: a cross-sectional survey.

ObjectivesThere is compelling scientific evidence about the role of physiotherapists in vestibular rehabilitation. However, patients with vestibular-associated dizziness and balance disturbances are seldom referred to physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aims to achieve insight into perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and referral practices among Saudi Arabian medical doctors relating to the role of physiotherapists in vestibular rehabilitation.MethodsA sample of 381 medical doctors practicing in Saudi Arabia participated in this nationwide cross-sectional study. The sample was obtained from 226 hospitals across 13 provinces of Saudi Arabia by stratified sampling method. The 23-item questionnaire developed by a team of experts was emailed to medical doctors practicing in various hospitals across Saudi Arabia.ResultsOut of 1,231 medical doctors invited, 381 medical doctors responded, giving a response rate of 30.9%. One hundred ninety-three (50.6%) medical doctors reported managing patients with vestibular rehabilitation. The most preferred specialist for managing patients with vestibular disorders was an Ear Nose Throat (ENT) specialist (n = 173, 89.6%). Related Sample Cochran’s Q test showed statistically significant difference between preferred specialist for managing patients with vestibular disorders (ENT specialists, physiotherapists, nurses, occupational therapists and audiologists) (χ2(4) = 482.476, p = 0.001). Out of 193 medical doctors, 153 (79.2%) reported no role of the physiotherapist in vestibular rehabilitation. One hundred forty-five (75.1%) of medical doctors reported that they were not aware of the role of physiotherapists in vestibular rehabilitation. Only 27 (15.5%) medical doctors reported referring patients with vestibular disorders to physiotherapists.ConclusionThe study reports that physiotherapy services are underutilized in vestibular rehabilitation due to limited referral from Saudi Arabian medical doctors. Therefore, there is a need to increase the awareness among Saudi Arabian doctors about the physiotherapist’s role in vestibular rehabilitation.

A Neglected Priority: Medical Doctors' Awareness of Travel Medicine in Turkey

This study aimed to assess the attitudes and awareness of medical doctors practicing in Turkey about the discipline of travel medicine (TM). This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted via the internet for 1 month between January 10, 2020 and February 10, 2020. The study participants were medical students or graduated medical doctors. The questionnaire used for the survey was broadly structured to measure participants' education on TM, perception of TM, and general knowledge about TM. A total of 502 participants were included in the study, of which 188 (37.4%) were medical students and 314 (62.6%) were medical doctors. Forty-nine out of 82 (60%) medical faculties' students or graduates took part in this study. Experience in medicine was significantly associated with education and perception of TM but not with general knowledge about TM. Our data indicate that medical doctors in Turkey are not familiar with the discipline (60%) and that the medical doctors believe that the importance of TM is increasing (58.4%). In total, 93.2% participants believe that social awareness about TM is insufficient. A total of 69% participants believe that infectious diseases make up the bulk of TM. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first study to assess the awareness and attitudes of medical doctors in Turkey about TM.

The perceptions and attitudes of medical doctors towards family medicine in Duhok City-Iraq

Background and objectives: Family physicians have an important role in the management of personal and family-associated health conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes of medical specialists’ doctors towards family medicine and family practice as a discipline. Methods: A total of 150 doctors working in Duhok governorate were asked to present their opinions on professional characteristics and factors influencing the doctors’ opinions about family medicine and practice. Results: The mean age of medical doctors was 39.21 (SD: 6.22 years) with mean years of experience were 14.13 years. Majority of the participants were males (86.7%), and most of them working in both public and private sectors (84.7%). About two-third of participants (64.7%) agreed that the family medicine had a high level of scientific prestige equivalent to other specialties (61.3%) and that family practice is an interesting specialty from a research perspective (74.0%). A lower percentage (42.0%) reported that the specialty has a high status within the medical fields. However, a small percentage reported that can obtain a high salary (20%) if they were family physician. The most important factor that had an impact on the doctor’s opinion for family medicine selection was their experiences during the study (67%). The agreement of the doctors with different specialties towards the high salary of family medicine compared to other medical specialties was not significantly different. Conclusions: Most of the doctors in various disciplines emphasized that family medicine has an essential role in the management of a wide range of medical conditions with a critic on low salary.

Knowledge and attitude of medical doctors to kidney donation

Background : Medical practitioners by virtue of their training and exposure are expected to educate and counsel patients and their relatives about kidney donation. Therapeutic strategies for patients with end-stage renal disease are dialysis and kidney transplantation. Hemodialysis is done sub-optimally because it's expensive with resultant poor quality of life and death. Kidney transplantation, although also expensive, offers better quality of life with a major drawback being unavailability of kidney donors. A poor knowledge about kidney donation in itself may partly be responsible for low donation rates. This survey was carried out to assess knowledge and attitude of medical doctors in a tertiary hospital to kidney donation and transplantation. Methods : A cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among medical doctors from the Departments of Surgery, Family Medicine and Internal Medicine, in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Knowledge and attitude towards kidney donation and transplantation was assessed using pretested self-administered questionnaires. Results : One hundred and twelve doctors participated in the study with age range being 24 –55 years, 51(45.5%) of the doctors had a good knowledge of kidney donation and transplantation while 61 (54.5%) had fair knowledge. Sixtynine (61.6%) were willing to donate a kidney with the most common reason being to save lives. Conclusion: Knowledge of kidney donation and transplantation among doctors is relatively good; however same cannot be said for their attitude, with constraints to kidney donation being fear of post-surgical complications and fear of developing kidney disease in the future. Key words : Kidney, donation, transplantation, doctors

Attitudes of medical doctors and nurses towards the role of the nurses in the primary care unit in Italy.

Nowadays, in Italy, the role of the nurse in primary care is still under-recognized and most primary care medical offices are managed individually by a physician. The study consists of a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey carried out in Piedmont, Italy, between February and September 2015.FindingsWe included 105 participants, 57 nurses and 48 physicians. The presence of a nurse working together with the GP was defined as 'useful' by 54.4% of nurses (versus 60.4% of physicians), as 'essential' by 45.6% of nurses (versus 25.0% of physicians), as 'marginal' by no nurses (versus 14.6% of physicians) and as 'unimportant' by none (P=0.002). Thus, physicians seemed to be less favorable towards a full collaboration and power-sharing with nurses. Furthermore, GPs and nurses showed a different attitude towards the role of nurses in primary care: while nurses highlighted their clinical value, physicians tended rather to recognize them a 'supportive' role. Moreover, only 20.8% of the physicians interviewed stated that they worked with a nurse. At the multivariate analysis, the age class resulted to be a significant predictor of the perception that the presence of a nurse working with the GP is essential: participants >50 years had an OR of 0.03 (P=0.028). Although the primary care organization appears still largely based on a traditional physician-centric care model, the positive attitude of nurses and young GPs towards a more collaborative model of primary care might represent a promising starting point.

Perception and attitude of medical doctors in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with regard to Ayurvedic medicine.

ABSTRACTThe World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Strategy (2014–2023) aimed to help member states promote the safe and effective use of traditional medicine. While economic conditions have markedly improved in Bangladesh, the country is experiencing significant public health problems. Because of limited medical resources, there is a strong incentive to enhance complementary and alternative medicine usage in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study aimed to confirm the perceptions and attitudes of medical doctors (MDs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with regard to Ayurvedic medicine (AM). A total number of 159 MDs in Dhaka were interviewed by face-to-face between February and June 2015. The study revealed that 62.0% of MDs had treated patients with AM and 55.3% believed that AM should be regarded as its own specialty, whereas 39.7% of MDs believed that AM should be part of the conventional medical curriculum and 32.7% thought that AM did not seem scientific. In terms of gender, 45.3% of male MDs agreed or strongly agreed that AM only had a placebo effect. On the other hand, 65.8% of female MDs disagreed or strongly disagreed it. In terms of age, 77.0% of MDs aged 36 or elder (elder MDs) believed they were more likely to recommend AM use and 80.3% of elder MDs believed that the government should encourage more initiatives to promote AM. To enhance AM use, scientifically robust information on the efficacy, safety and scientific basis of AM should be more effectively conveyed to male MDs.

Assessment of knowledge and awareness among medical doctors toward emergency management of dental trauma in State of Himachal Pradesh: A survey

Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of medical doctors towards the emergency management of dental trauma in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey in which, 500 medical doctors were randomly included in the study and the participation was voluntary. Data regarding the emergency management of avulsed tooth was collected using a self-administered questionnaire having questions which were close ended. Statistical analysis was carried out. Chi-square test was used to analyze the data gathered. Results: It was found that frequency of occurrence of soft tissue injuries of the face was 83%, laceration injuries was 79%, nasal bone fracture was 66%, intraoral soft tissue injuries of the lip was 67%, avulsion was 77%, and frequency of dental trauma of maxillary central incisor was 63%. Furthermore, the frequency of respondents having the knowledge about reimplantation was 46% and frequency of respondents having knowledge about the time of reimplantation was 60%. Frequency of respondents having knowledge about the preservation of tooth for reimplantation was 51%, whereas frequency of respondents having no knowledge about the preference of preservative medium was 47%. Frequency of respondents who have not seen traumatic injuries of primary teeth was 55% and the most frequently administered first aid was tetanus injection having 67%. Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that knowledge of the management of dental injuries among medical professionals/doctors was inadequate. However, appropriate training can significantly increase their knowledge.

Clinical pharmacy in Sri Lanka: translating training into practice

Clinical pharmacy in Sri Lanka: translating training into practice

Prisustvo rodbine pri resuscitaciji - da ili ne?

Resuscitation of patients is often carried out in public places or at home, with the possible presence of relatives, which could create a potential dilemma on further actions within resuscitation team members. Objective: The aim of this paper is to point out the attitudes of medical doctors about the presence of relatives during the resuscitation of patients. Material and Methods: 119 of 2.000 medical doctors responded to specific questions defined in a questionnaire. Results: Among all respondents, 52% believed that the presence of relatives during the resuscitation is harmful. Only 9% of medical doctors have confirmed that their institutions have a person in charge of providing support to family members during and after resuscitation. Conclusion: It is necessary to define an attitude on the treatment and the presence of relatives during the resuscitation through clearly defined legislation and through national guidelines.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE;

Background: Periodontal disease and systemic diseases are inter-related, each influencing one another. Adequateknowledge on periodontal disease among medical doctors will enable them to refer their patients to dentists for timely management. Thisstudy aimed to assess knowledge, awareness and attitudes of medical doctors towards periodontal disease in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.Settings and design: Cross sectional study on medical doctors working at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.Materials and methods: The study involved 151 medical doctors drawn randomly and who are practicing at Muhimbili National Hospitalin Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Data were obtained via a structured questionnaire and included demographic information’s, knowledgeregarding periodontal disease, their awareness and their attitude towards periodontal disease. They were entered into the SPSS statisticalsoftware for analysis. Frequencies and percentages were calculated and association between variables was done using the chi-squaretest. Results: Of the 151 questionnaires administered, 124 were returned (response rate of 82.12%). One hundred and eleven (89.5%)medical doctors believed poor oral hygiene was the main cause of periodontal disease, only 49(39.5%) told their patients to brushproperly, 47(37.9%) believed that there was a bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and systemic disease and only35(28.2%) referred all patients with systemic diseases to dentists. 34(27.4%) believed that medical doctors have adequate knowledgeregarding periodontal disease and 18(14.5%) believed that the medical curriculum provides enough knowledge regarding periodontaldisease. Conclusions: Medical doctors had inadequate information about periodontal disease and this should be addressed in themedical curriculum so as to enable proper patient management.

Physical illness and schizophrenia: a review of the literature

The lifespan of people with schizophrenia is shortened compared to the general population. We reviewed the literature on comorbid physical diseases in schizophrenia to provide a basis for initiatives to fight this unacceptable situation. We searched MEDLINE (1966 - May 2006) combining the MeSH term of schizophrenia with the 23 MeSH terms of general physical disease categories to identify relevant epidemiological studies. A total of 44 202 abstracts were screened. People with schizophrenia have higher prevalences of HIV infection and hepatitis, osteoporosis, altered pain sensitivity, sexual dysfunction, obstetric complications, cardiovascular diseases, overweight, diabetes, dental problems, and polydipsia than the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis and cancer may occur less frequently than in the general population. Eighty-six per cent of the studies came from industrialized countries limiting the generalizability of the findings. The increased frequency of physical diseases in schizophrenia might be on account of factors related to schizophrenia and its treatment, but undoubtedly also results from the unsatisfactory organization of health services, from the attitudes of medical doctors, and the social stigma ascribed to the schizophrenic patients.

The attitude of medical doctors in Enugu to the liberalization of the abortion law

The attitude of medical doctors in Enugu to the liberalization of the abortion law

Research on Attitudes of Medical Doctors toward the Dying Patient: A Methodological Problem

From a sample of seventy-three medical doctors, thirteen interviews were conducted regarding the physician's attitudes toward the dying patient. A majority of those refusing interviews did so only when the nature of the topic of discussion was revealed. This research experience indicates a general reluctance on the part of physicians to discuss their attitudes toward death. Contradictions revealed in the responses of the physicians who were interviewed indicate that the topic of death may present more of a problem to physicians than has been recognized.