[Survey about Barcelona Health Center General Practitioners' therapeutic attitude and control criteria of patients with respiratory chronic diseases].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the level of conditions to be found in general medicine in the Basic Health Areas (BHA) of Barcelona and metropolitan area, with respect to the diagnosis and control of asthma and POCD. Also, to determine the level of clinical knowledge of the doctors in terms of diagnosis, control and treatment of these pathologies.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study by questionnaire.


METHODS
The BHA's of Barcelona and metropolitan area.


METHODS
General practitioners (GP's) within the above-mentioned BHA's.


METHODS
Questionnaire consisting of 20 questions and divided into 4 parts: personal information, control and health education, diagnosis and bronchodilatory treatment (BD).


RESULTS
43% of the GP's had a Peak-Flow Metre (PFM), while 21% had never had one. 36% of the doctors required a respiratory functions test (RFT) of all their patients. 15% always prescribed the spacer chamber (SC) when giving inhaled corticoids (IC). 69% had not diagnosed asthma. The B2 agonists are preferred out of all BD for EPOC and asthma. There was no difference between the centres (p < 0.07), nor between the BHA with or without teaching (p < 0.06).


CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient use of the PFR, including the PFM. SC with IC is rather infrequent. Asthma is the least diagnosed case, and is most confused with EPOC. A higher level of training is needed for GP doctors in the BHA's, and the setting of minimum criteria for action in the case of asthma and POCD.
Naberán Toña
C
C
Sector Sanitario de Sant Martí, Subdivisión de Atención Primaria de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut.
D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Encuesta de la actitud terapéutica y de control de los médicos generales de las ABS de Barcelona, respecto a enfermedades obstructivas respiratorias.