Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Swallowing Disorders Among General Practitioners.

Abstract

Background: Swallowing disorders constitute a significant clinical concern, necessitating effective management and early detection. General practitioners (GPs) play a pivotal role in identifying and referring patients with swallowing disorders, emphasizing the importance of assessing their Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) in this domain.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and October 2023, involving general practitioners who completed a self-administered questionnaire containing demographic information and KAP assessment.

Results: The final analysis included 365 participates, with 242 (66.3%) completed by female participants and 106 (29.04%) by individuals with 5-10 years of professional working experience. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 12.41 ± 4.202 (possible range: 0-18), 22.25 ± 2.06 (possible range: 6-30), and 32.81 ± 9.48 (possible range: 10-50), respectively. Knowledge was demonstrated a positive correlation with attitude (r = 0.329, P < 0.001) and practice (r = 0.375, P < 0.001), while attitude also showed a positive correlation with practice (r = 0.309, P < 0.001). According to multivariate analysis, knowledge (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: [1.07-1.20], P < 0.001) and attitude (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: [1.05-1.36], P = 0.005) were independently associated with proactive practice.

Conclusion: General practitioners demonstrated moderate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding swallowing disorders. Targeted educational interventions are essential to enhance general practitioners' knowledge regarding swallowing disorders.