A snapshot of primary care physicians educational needs regarding COPD in crete, greece: An exploratory case study

Nikolaos I. Kakoliris, Emmanouil K. Symvoulakis, Katerina M. Antoniou, Ilias Grammatikopoulos, Nikolaos Tzanakis, Nikolaos M. Siafakas, Christos Lionis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aim: Misdiagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in primary health care appears to be common. The objective of this exploratory case study was to describe the selfreported level of knowledge regarding COPD among primary healthcare physicians, before and after a two day intensive educational course. Method: Nine primary health care physicians, eight serving different rural areas of the island of Crete and one in the wider area of Athens (Greece), were invited to a two day educational course on COPD. Questionnaires were used to stratify the level of physicians' knowledge before and after the course. Utility and suitability of this educational experience was also assessed at the end of the course. Results: Topics such as the ability to perform spirometry and the management of smokers in primary care achieved the greater median score variation before and after course [from 2.0 to 5.0 (P=0.010) and from 3.0 to 6.0 (P=0.011), respectively]. There was a statistical significant difference between the median scores in pre- and post-course responses indicating an immediate positive impact due to the course. Conclusion: These preliminary results showed that a brief and intensive educational course among primary health care physicians, could have a benefit in improving their level of knowledge regarding COPD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)781-786
Number of pages6
JournalHealthMED
Volume6
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • COPD
  • Education
  • Exploration
  • Primary care

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