Affiliation:
1. Kocaeli University School Of Medicine, Department Of Pediatrics
2. Kocaeli University School Of Medicine, Department Of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
3. Kocaeli University School Of Medicine, Department Of Family Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
Abstract
Objective: Our aim in this study is to analyze the compliance rates with current guidelines by raising awareness among pediatricians, otolaryngologists, general practitioners and family physicians about the diagnosis and treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.
Methods: A survey containing 18 questions was sent to physicians working in the Marmara Region of Turkey. The responses and variables, including age, gender, duration of professional experience, specialty area, and the number of cases diagnosed in one month, were evaluated concerning the current guidelines from the American Society of Infectious Diseases
Results: Totally 500 physicians were enrolled into this study. The majority of the physicians participating in the study [91,4% (n=458)] did not know how to differentiate acute rhinosinusitis from viral upper respiratory tract infection clinically. The number of physicians prescribing the correct antibiotic but at the wrong dosage was 186 (37.2%). It was observed that general physicians made more mistakes in determining the diagnosis with the correct criteria than the other specialties (p=0.03).
Conclusion: There appears to be a problem of clinical inertia in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric acute bacterial rhinosinusitis at the emergency department in Turkey, possibly due to unfamiliarity with the condition, patient overload, worries about performance fees, and failure to update medical knowledge concerning current guidelines. Increased emphasis on continuing professional education and various supportive measures for primary care physicians may help to resolve this.
Publisher
Kocaeli Universitesi Saglik Bilimleri Dergisi