[Results of a survey on knowledge and habits among hospital doctors concerning primary prevention of venous thromboembolism].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to analyse the attitudes towards and knowledge of primary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among hospital doctors in Calabria.


METHODS
The survey was based on theoretical knowledge and practical management of hortopedics, surgeons, gynecologists and internists working in 14 hospitals.


RESULTS
Out of a total of 340 physicians contacted, 154 (45%) agreed to take part in the survey. 82% of those who responded used VTE prophylaxis on a routine basis. Unfractioned heparin (71%) was the most frequently used methods; early deambulation (55%), low molecular weight heparin (49%) and elastic stocking (49%) were less frequently employed. Surprisingly, one third used aspirin. 75% of those contacted had modified their approach to prevention during the last few years, in particular owing to improvements in pharmacological therapy and increased awareness of the problem. In the survey of clinical practice, 80% of those who took part correctly identified the VTE risk, 86% suggested the best treatment, but only 27% assessed the exact frequency rate of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in the absence of prophylaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the doctors contacted showed scant interest in the primary prevention of VTE. The 45% who agreed to be interviewed revealed a good practical approach but were not sufficiently aware of the real incidence of DVT and PE in a clinical risk context without prophylaxis. Although they must be interpreted with caution, these findings allow the real behaviour of hospital physicians in this region to be assessed with regard to the primary prevention of VTE and suggest the need for more correct information about this aspect of venous thromboembolic disease which is not yet sufficiently well known.
Greco
F
F
Divisione di Cardiologia, Ospedale Civile Annunziata, Cosenza.
Bisignani
G
G
Serafini
O
O
Plastina
F
F
D003625:Data Collection; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D011322:Primary Prevention; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
Risultati di una indagine sulle conoscenze e sulle abitudini di medici ospedalieri riguardo alla prevenzione primaria del tromboembolismo venoso.