Development of a measure of knowledge and attitudes about obstructive sleep apnea in children (OSAKA-KIDS)
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Published on: December 6, 2016
Elizabeth C Uong1, Donna B Jeffe, David Gozal
1Division of Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. Uong_e@kids.wustl.edu
Insights
Physicians show knowledge gaps in childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Increased education on OSAS diagnosis, treatment, and risk identification is recommended for primary care providers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Sleep Medicine
- Medical Education
Background:
- Childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) requires early screening by primary care physicians to prevent severe complications.
- Physician knowledge and attitudes are crucial for effective OSAS screening and management in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes in Children (OSAKA-KIDS) questionnaire.
- To measure physicians' current knowledge and attitudes regarding childhood OSAS and its treatment.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey utilizing the 23-item OSAKA-KIDS questionnaire.
- Mailed to 1195 community and academic physicians across three US cities.
- Statistical analyses included ANOVA and stepwise multiple linear regression to assess knowledge and attitude predictors.
Main Results:
- 497 physicians completed the survey (44% female, mean age 45.7 years).
- The average knowledge score was 69.6%, indicating significant deficits.
- Greater knowledge correlated with more positive attitudes and recent medical school graduation; positive attitudes linked to pediatric residency completion and higher OSAS knowledge.
Conclusions:
- Basic knowledge deficits regarding childhood OSAS are prevalent across different physician specialties and practice settings.
- Enhanced educational initiatives are necessary to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and risk identification of childhood OSAS.
Background:
Primary care physicians play an important role in screening for childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) that, if untreated, can result in serious complications.
Objective:
To describe the development of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes in Children (OSAKA-KIDS) questionnaire for use in measuring physicians' knowledge and attitudes about childhood OSAS and its treatment.
Design:
Cross-sectional survey to pilot administration of the 23-item OSAKA-KIDS questionnaire, mailed to 1195 community- and academic-based physicians in Louisville, Ky; Philadelphia, Pa; and St Louis, Mo.
Main Outcome Measures:
Analysis of variance measured differences in knowledge and attitudes between academic- and community-based physicians and between pediatricians and family practitioners. Using stepwise multiple linear regression, we analyzed the associations between various predictors (including specialty, practice setting, and years since medical school graduation) and each item of knowledge and attitudes. All tests were 2-tailed.
Results:
Questionnaires for 497 respondents (44% female; mean [SD] age, 45.7 [10.5] years; and mean [SD] number of years since medical school graduation, 18.7 [11.0] years) were analyzed. The mean (SD) knowledge score (percentage of 18 possible) was 69.6% (14.6%). In regression analyses, more knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes overall and more recent graduation from medical school; having a more positive attitude was associated with having completed a pediatrics residency and more knowledge about OSAS.
Conclusions:
Deficits in basic knowledge about childhood OSAS were observed regardless of physician practice setting and specialty training. More education focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of childhood OSAS and identifying children at risk for OSAS is recommended.
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