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Awareness towards the main ILD among primary care physicians
Mariana Silva1, Amélia Fernandes2, Ana Rita Pereira3
1Unidade de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados Anadia II, Anadia.
Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine
|May 13, 2022
Summary
Primary care physicians show limited awareness of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), particularly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Educational interventions are crucial to improve early diagnosis and patient survival for ILDs.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Internal Medicine
- Medical Education
Background:
- Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) present diagnostic challenges due to nonspecific symptoms.
- Limited educational focus on ILDs in primary care settings contributes to diagnostic delays.
- Core ILDs include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sarcoidosis, connective tissue disease-related ILD, and drug-induced ILD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess primary care physicians' (GPs) awareness of basic diagnostic and management aspects of core ILDs.
- To identify potential knowledge gaps in ILD recognition and management among GPs.
- To compare ILD awareness between GPs under and over 45 years old.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study was conducted among GPs in five health centers.
- The questionnaire covered diagnostic and management knowledge of key ILDs.
- Awareness levels were analyzed, including comparisons based on physician age.
Main Results:
- GPs correctly answered 69% of questions overall, but only 21.9% felt knowledgeable about ILDs.
- Sarcoidosis showed the highest awareness; IPF questions had the lowest performance, with only 48.5% recognizing the significance of velcro-type crackles.
- No significant age-related differences in awareness were found, though a trend favored younger physicians.
Conclusions:
- Targeted educational interventions for GPs on ILDs are essential.
- Improving GP knowledge can reduce diagnostic delays for ILDs.
- Timely ILD diagnosis is critical for effective treatment and improved patient survival.
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