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

Volume : VII, Issue : VIII, August - 2018

Dr. Brahma Prakash, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bharty

Background: Several guidelines are available for managing COPD, but only a fraction of patients get diagnosed

and treated as per these guidelines.

Aim : The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among young doctors about COPD and its

management, and to identify parameters that could bene􀃶t from educational interventions.

Material and methods: In this single point contact, cross sectional study, Interns and post graduates students and Senior

Residents(collectively designated as PGs in study) posted in General medicine department were assessed for their knowledge, attitude and

practices of COPD.

Results: Eighty two Interns and 41 PGs were enrolled under the study. Majority (86%) identi􀃶ed smoking as single most important cause of

COPD. Interns used mainly Chest Radiograph (n=53, 64%), whereas, PGs used Spirometry also along with Chest Radiograph(n=22, 53.6%)

more frequently for diagnosing COPD. Thirty percent Interns prescribed inhaled onchodilators in comparison to 95% PGs in their COPD

patients. Thirty Six (44%) Interns think antibiotic has a role in managing exacerbation where as only 48% PGs think so. PGs evaluated more

frequently their patients for Long term oxygen therapy (29%) as compared to Interns (7.3%) .Sixty eight percent of subjects think that

pulmonary rehabilitation can bene􀃶t COPD patients. Only 36.5% doctors think that In􀃸uenza vaccine has some role in management of

COPD patients.

Conclusions: Doctors during initial years of their clinical practice, underutilize the COPD guidelines and there was also a difference

between Interns and PGs on a lot of points regarding knowledge and practices, emphasizing the need to organize increasing CME rounds

for those involved in care of COPD patients.