Guideline based knowledge and practice of physicians in the management of COPD in a low- to middle-income country

05 May 2022
Clinical Research Results Abstract IntroductionChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in Low-Medium Income Countries (LMIC) like Nepal. Medical physicians are often the first point of patient care in different health facilities. Good knowledge of COPD and guideline-based practice by these physicians can help to reduce the COPD burden. Thus, we aim to study the knowledge and practice level of these physician based on COPD GOLD guidelines, including barriers to help patients quit smoking, diagnosis and proper treatment of COPD.MethodsA cross-sectional study with a structured questionnaire based on GOLD guidelines was conducted in two different provinces of Nepal. Eligible participants were contacted and asked to fill out the online survey form. Physician knowledge and practice were graded according to blooms cut-off point for good (≥80%), satisfactory (60%–78%) and poor (<60%). (1)ResultA total of 152 medical physicians participated in this study. Out of the possible total score of 20, the mean score on knowledge was 17.8±2.4, and out of a possible total score of 8, the mean score on practice was 5.3±1.3. The correlation test between total knowledge and practice scores showed r=0.18 at p-value <0.02. The major barriers for physicians to help patients quit smoking were lack of patient follow up and patients not wanting to discuss smoking quit plans. Similarly, for COPD diagnosis obstacles were lack of patient follows up and lack of COPD screening devices. While barriers to COPD treatment were lack of professional training in COPD management/treatment and the poor patient follows up.Discussion Despite physicians having good knowledge in COPD, the practice in COPD management is below guideline-recommended. Disease awareness programs to patients and continuous medical education to physician including easy accessibility to COPD screening and diagnosis is required to reduce the burden of COPD in LMIC like Nepal. Research Idea Abstract Service Development & Evaluation Abstract Declaration of Interest All the authors declare no competing interest. References and Clinical Trial Registry Information 1. Bloom BS. Taxonomy Education. David McKay; 1956.

Resource information

Respiratory conditions
  • COPD
Type of resource
Abstract
Conference
Malaga 2022
Author(s)
Suraj Ghimire, University of Newcastle