Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
COPD care in Saudi Arabia: physicians' awareness and knowledge of guidelines and barriers to implementation
M E Alsubaiei1, P A Frith1, P A Cafarella1
1Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Adelaide, South Australia, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia.
Objective:
To assess Saudi physicians' awareness and knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guideline recommendations.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study including physicians involved in COPD care in five hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The level of physicians' knowledge was considered as satisfactory (score > 80%), fair (score 50-80%) or poor (<50% of total score).
Results:
Among the 44 physicians included in the study, the mean ± standard deviation knowledge score was 29.5 ± 4.2 out of 45 points (65.5%). Most physicians appeared to be unaware of any COPD guidelines (n = 27, 61.4%), and reported not adhering to guidelines (n = 28, 63.6%).
Conclusion:
Saudi physicians' knowledge about Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines was assessed as fair. It is therefore highly recommended to increase physicians' awareness and knowledge about COPD-related guidelines.
Related Concept Videos
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
