Knowledge and practice of general pediatricians about childhood asthma and its treatment

Abstract

Aim: It is essential educate general pediatricians about childhood asthma and its treatment to standardize care. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and practice of pediatricians about childhood asthma and its treatment. Material and Method: The study included 52 pediatricians who attended one of the seven meetings about asthma treatment. A questionnaire of 42 questions, 23 about asthma and its treatment and 19 about their practice were given before meeting. Results: Hospital of residency did not change answers to the questions, but presence of private office and duration of practice did. Among pediatricians who owned private office, 82.4% said the sentence: systemic steroids have a role in acute asthma exacerbation treatment was true, compared to the 47.1% of the ones without private office (p = 0.014). Referral to pediatric allergy center during or after acute asthma exacerbation was significantly lower among the pediatricians who owned private Office (p = 0.002 and p = 0.016 respectively). Duration of practice as a pediatrician influenced knowledge about use of inhaled steroids in asthma (p = .005). Conclusions: In conclusion, duration of practice and presence of private office influence knowledge and practice of general pediatricians about asthma and its treatment. The essence of postgraduate education to provide children more standardized treatment was emphasized with these results. (Turk Arch Ped 2009; 44: 29-34)