Objectives To evaluate pulmonary physicians’knowledge level about prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD) in some urban areas in China. Methods A total of 258 pulmonary physicians were interviewed face-to-face in 24 hospitals from July to October in 2006. The questionnaire included the knowledge of COPD, prescriptions at initial visit and follow-up, pulmonary function test monitoring, assessment and intervention in stable COPD, knowledge and evaluation of the commonly used medicines, the effects of smoking cessation and adopted measures, as well as the knowledge of treatment prospects and patients’ education. Results Eighty-eight percent of pulmonary physicians considered themselves knowledgeable on COPD, and 95% were familiar with the severity classification. Most of them knew about GOLD and Chinese Guideline of Prevention and Treatment to COPD, and paid attention to chest X-ray and pulmonary function test during diagnosis. The standards in evaluation of stable COPD patients were not well understood, and 92% of physicians claimed for pulmonary function test in stable stage. Seventy-nine percent of physicians actively suggested the patients quit smoking. The prescription for COPD patients at iniative and maintenance therapy met the guideline on the whole, but the mucolytic agents were appreciated too much and used too frequently. Thirty-three percent of physicians took it necessary to treat stable COPD,and 69% believed that pharmacotherapy for stable COPD could rersult in satisfactory quality of life.Conclusions In some big cities in China, the pulmonary physicians have good knowledge about COPD. But long-term prevention and intervention, especially in pharmacotherapy, are still unsatisfactory.
Objective To evaluate the control status and knowledge level about disease in asthmatic patients in region level cities of Shaanxi province for effect appraisal of patient education. Methods Eight hospitals were selected from six region level cities, where questionnaire survey was completed in out-patients with asthma ( ≥14 years old) . Results A total of 523 patients completed the questionnaire with a ratio of male to female of 1∶1. 14, and an average age of ( 44. 3 ±15. 5) years old. The percentage of controlled,partly controlled and uncontrolled by self-evaluation was respectively 26. 4% , 52. 4% and 11. 1% . 48% insisted on using inhaled corticosteroids ( ICS) . The average score was 17. 88 ±4. 43 by asthma control test ( ACT) . The first three medicines used daily were ICS ( 26. 6% ) , sustained-release theophyline ( 25. 2% )and combination ICS/ long-acting β2 -agonists ( 21. 8% ) . 12. 6% had no medicine and 5. 2% used nonorthodox medicines. 68. 6% patients had omen before exacerbation, and those were sneezing, chest distress and cough. 73. 6% knew asthma is a disease of airway inflammation, and 33. 3% selected ICS as the leader medicine. Only 32. 1% attended the lecture about asthma in hospitals and 85. 0% longed for such education. Conclusions The control status and knowledge level about disease in asthmatic patients in cities still need to be improved in Shaanxi province, and too much work need to be done in order to realize the total control in all patients.