[A cross-sectional survey of the knowledge on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in physicians of tertiary hospitals in Northern China]

Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi. 2016 Sep 1;55(9):717-20. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0578-1426.2016.09.012.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

To investigate physicians' knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in tertiary hospitals in northeast China. Physicians from 77 tertiary hospitals in northeast China were surveyed with a questionnaire, which included questions such as risk factors, symptoms, exacerbations, comorbidities and diagnostic criteria of COPD. Besides cigarette smoking, air pollution and pulmonary infections, only 22.5%(40/178) physicians recognized that the biomass fuels may induce COPD. Totally 59.0%(105/178) physicians recognized the importance of spirometry to the diagnosis of COPD. Besides dyspnea, cough, sputum production, wheezing and chest tightness, only 23.7%(42/177) of physicians considered that limitation of activity was an important symptom of COPD. 65.5%(116/177) physicians believed that recurrent lung infections was one of the most important comorbidities of COPD. However, less than 30%[20.9%(37/177)-28.8%(51/177)] physicians were aware of the other important comorbidities. The physicians of tertiary hospitals in northeast China need to be systematically educated on COPD to meet the new guideline.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • China
  • Comorbidity
  • Cough
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dyspnea
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Physicians*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking
  • Spirometry
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tertiary Care Centers