Prevalence of and attitudes to waterpipe smoking among Saudi Arabian physicians

Background: Tobacco smoking kills more than 5 million people annually and it is the most important cause of preventable death. Waterpipe smoking is common in the Middle East and is prevalent among young people. There is a misconception that it is less harmful than cigarette smoking. Physicians are considered role models in the community and their behaviours and attitudes towards smoking can have direct effects on cessation.

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate current prevalence, attitudes and associated factors in regard to waterpipe smoking among Saudi Arabian physicians.

Methods: Using a self-administered questionnaire, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 454 male and female physicians from 3 specialties, and of various levels of training working in 4 hospitals in Riyadh.

Results: The prevalence of waterpipe smoking was 45%, greater in men than in women [58% vs 18%; P . 0.001] and in surgical than in medical specialists [58% vs 38%; P . 0.001]. More non-smokers than smokers believed that physicians should serve as role models [79% vs 60%; P . 0.001]. Physicians who were waterpipe non-smokers had received more formal training about cessation than smokers [50% vs 36%; P . 0.001].

Conclusions: Waterpipe smoking among Saudi Arabian physicians is frequent and is associated with low exposure to information about the hazards and cessation during medical education

Patients' perceptions towards the participation of medical students in their care

Objectives: Patient interaction is a vital part of healthcare training. This study aimed to investigate patients' perceptions of the participation of medical students in their care

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2014 and March 2015 among 430 patients admitted to the medical and surgical wards at the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An Arabic questionnaire was designed to assess the demographic characteristics of the patients and their perceptions of students' participation in their medical care

Results: A total of 416 patients completed the survey [response rate: 97%]. Overall, 407 patients [98%] acknowledged the educational benefit of involving medical students in their care. A total of 368 patients [88%] had no objection to a medical student being involved in their care. Of these, 98% were willing to be asked about their medical history by medical students, 89% would permit physical examinations by medical students and 39% preferred that the gender of the medical student match their own. Education level [P <0.003], a positive prior experience with a medical student [P <0.001] and perception of the medical students' attitudes [P <0.001] had a significant effect on patients' acceptance of medical students participating in their care

Conclusion: In general, the patients had a positive perception of medical students, with most patients acknowledging the educational benefit of student participation in patient care. As patients' perceptions of students' professionalism, confidence and respect for privacy were significantly related to acceptance of care, education on these aspects should be a priority in medical curricula

Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among smokers attending primary healthcare clinics in Saudi Arabia

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] in Saudi Arabia is unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of COPD among smokers more than 40 years of age attending primary healthcare clinics in Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was used in a cross-sectional collection of demographic data and other items related to diagnosis of COPD in patients visiting primary healthcare clinics. Eligible subjects were current or ex-smokers and aged 40 years or above. Spirometry was performed according to American Thoracic Society criteria. Airflow obstruction was classified according to the 2003 update of the World Health Organization and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. COPD was defined as a ratio less than 0.70 of post-bronchodilator-predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC <0.70]. Because of incomplete data or poor performance on spirometry, of 1380 subjects eligible for the study, only 501 subjects were eligible for data analysis. Seventy-one patients had an FEV1/FVC ratio <0.70, comprising 14.2% of the study population, of which 95.8% were males. Current smokers comprised 57 [80.3%] subjects. Of the 71 subjects who fulfilled the criteria for COPD diagnosis, none were found to be in COPD stage I; 40 [56.3%] were in stage II and 31 [43.6%] were in stage III of the disease. Underdiagnosis of COPD in primary healthcare clinics in Saudi Arabia is common, but its extent is not different from the corresponding data available in the literature for other countries. Use of spirometry as a routine test for all patients older than 40 years of age and with a smoking history can help in early detection and proper diagnosis of COPD, which subsequently will help in implementation of preventive measures