The Opinion of Polish Coeliac Patients on the Knowledge of Medical Professionals and Support Groups about Coeliac Disease—A Pilot Study

Abstract

A high quality of knowledge and how it is communicated by healthcare professionals (HCPs) let the patient understand coeliac disease (CD) and result in better adherence to therapeutic recommendations. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the opinion of Polish respondents with CD on the comprehension of CD among Polish HCPs. The analysis was based on 796 responses from patients (the members of the Polish Coeliac Society) with confirmed CD diagnosis (224; 28.1% children and 572; 71.9% adults). The most frequently consulted HCPs regarding CD symptoms in the analysed group were gastroenterologists, and various support groups and associations for CD patients. Furthermore, their comprehension of CD was rated best, as 89.3% (n = 552) of the patients who had contact with support groups and associations classified their knowledge on CD as good. More than a half of the respondents (n = 310, 56.6%) who had contact with general practitioners (GPs) due to their symptoms, rated the doctor’s knowledge on CD as bad. Nurses’ comprehension on CD was classified as bad by 45 (52.3%) respondents who had contact with a nurse. Out of 294 Polish patients with CD who had contact with a dietician, 247 (84.0%) assessed that the dietician communicated their knowledge on CD well. The respondents rated that GPs and nurses communicated their knowledge on CD in the worst manner (60.4% and 58.1%, respectively). Out of 796 respondents, 792 (99.5%) provided information about the number of appointments with GPs due to symptoms that occurred prior to CD diagnosis. The respondents had contact with GPs 13 863 times before obtaining a CD diagnosis due to their symptoms. After the establishment of a CD diagnosis, the number of appointments with GPs decreased to 3850, and the average number of appointments decreased from 17.8 to 5.1. The respondents assessed that the knowledge on CD of HCPs is not satisfactory. The work of support groups and associations on CD, who promote reliable CD diagnosis and treatment methods, should be promoted. The cooperation between various HCPs needs to be encouraged, which may lead to better compliance.