Practice-oriented training improves knowledge levels of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among primary care physicians / 中华全科医师杂志

ABSTRACT

A 3-week practice-oriented training course on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management was conducted in December 2020, 34 primary care physicians from township or community health service centers attended the course. The impact of the training course on the knowledge levels of COPD management was evaluated with a questionnaire survey, the questionnaire contained the knowledge of COPD and its management. The survey showed that before the training, the participants had low knowledge levels on the definition of COPD and its risk factors; 67.6% (23/34) were not aware of COPD-related guidelines and new developments, and 17.6%(6/34) had conducted COPD follow-up assessments, pulmonary rehabilitation, and health education; only 8.8% (3/34) had used the improved British Medical Research Council Dyspnea Index (mMRC) and the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test (CAT) for patient self-assessment; there was no pulmonary function instrument in their units, and only 3 doctors (8.8%) had previously participated in pulmonary function training and knew indications and contraindications of the pulmonary function test, and complete report interpretation; all participants were unable to use common inhalation devices and master inhalation techniques completely and correctly; 11.8% (4/34) had assessed patients′ handling inhalation devices and performing inhalation. After the training, the knowledge levels of COPD clinical features, lung function and inhalation technique were significantly improved, and the scores were significantly increased compared with those before the training ( P<0.001). The study shows that primary care physicians have insufficient knowledge and management skill of COPD. The practice-oriented training can significantly improve the knowledge and skills of primary care physician for COPD management in the community.