Survey of Physicians' Approach to Dyspepsia Management: Is Surgeons' Perspective Different?

This study aims to evaluate physicians' approaches to dyspepsia management, with a focus on the use of gastroscopy and Helicobacter pylori testing.

This cross-sectional survey study was conducted among physicians from different specialties, including general practitioners, internal medicine specialists, and surgeons. The questionnaire assessed approaches to diagnosing, management strategies, and adherence to clinical guidelines.

A survey of 262 physicians revealed that 22.9% of them recommended gastroscopy for all dyspeptic patients, with the proportion increasing with patient age. The study also found that Helicobacter pylori testing was conducted in only 16.4% of new dyspeptic cases, suggesting a potential gap in clinical practice guidelines. Furthermore, general surgery specialists were found to be less likely to adhere to clinical guidelines, favoring a broader use of gastroscopy. The survey also revealed that most physicians (67.6%) prescribed proton pump inhibitors as an initial treatment, with varying treatment durations.

This study highlights significant variability in dyspepsia management among physicians, which may stem from the lack of regional guidelines and insufficient postgraduate education. While surgeons' more frequent use of endoscopy reflects a heightened focus on diagnostic accuracy, it may inadvertently contribute to appointment system congestion, delaying gastric cancer diagnosis. Implementing region-specific guidelines alongside comprehensive postgraduate training presents a promising strategy for enhancing system efficiency.