Impact of a model training course for private and public specialist physicians in El Salvador
R Aguilar1, J Garay, M Villatoro
1National Hospital Rosales, San Salvador, El Salvador.
Background:
Private and non-private specialist practitioners are often considered an obstacle to the performance of the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP).
Objective:
To evaluate the impact of an intensive refresher course directed at specialist physicians in El Salvador, a questionnaire was sent to all course participants on their basic knowledge of tuberculosis (TB) control.
Results:
Of 64 participants, 55 were assessed (86%); 33 were chest physicians and 22 belonged to other related specialities. The evaluation showed a considerable improvement in both groups in their ability to suspect the disease, in their tendency to avoid hospitalising patients and instead refer them to out-patient clinics, and in their adherence to the recommendations of the NTP manual (diagnostic procedures, treatment guidelines, case notification and cohort studies). Improvements were more noticeable, in all the parameters evaluated, among the non-chest physicians.
Conclusion:
The intervention model succeeded in improving the collaboration of private and non-private specialist practitioners with the NTP.