Anesthesiologist's knowledge and attitudes about obstructive sleep apnea: a survey study

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Sleep Medicine
• Medical Education

Background:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition impacting perioperative management.
• Anesthesiologists' understanding of OSA is crucial for patient safety.
• Current knowledge gaps may affect the quality of care for OSA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate anesthesiologists' knowledge and attitudes towards OSA.
• To determine the necessity of enhanced educational initiatives for OSA management.
• To identify factors influencing anesthesiologists' understanding of OSA.

Main Methods:

• The Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire (OSAKA) was translated into Chinese.
• The questionnaire assessed knowledge (18 items) and attitudes (5 items) regarding OSA.
• 321 anesthesiologists from Shandong Province completed the survey.

Main Results:

• The mean knowledge score was 11.21 out of a possible 17, with a total correct score ratio of 62%.
• Higher job titles and positive attitudes correlated with better knowledge scores.
• Demographic factors like sex, age, education, and hospital level did not significantly impact scores.

Conclusions:

• Anesthesiologists exhibit inadequate knowledge about OSA, with a correct score ratio of 62%.
• Attitudes towards managing OSA patients were largely below 50%, suggesting low confidence.
• Regular, specialized postgraduate training programs on OSA are essential for anesthesiologists.