Health professionals' baseline knowledge of oral/pharyngeal cancers.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate: self-perceived competency in screening for oral/pharyngeal cancers (OPCs); knowledge about their signs, symptoms, and risk factors; and percentage of patients routinely examined.


METHODS
Of 352 health professionals who completed an assessment, a subgroup of 110 physicians and dental providers was identified. Thirty-three of those had advanced training (AT) related to the oral cavity and 77 were primary care physicians (PCPs).


RESULTS
Only 7% of the PCPs reported examining 100% of their patients for OPCs. A greater percentage of the PCP group than the AT group felt their knowledge about OPCs was not up to date (p < 0.05) and inaccurately identified common signs and sites of early OPCs. A greater percentage (p < 0.05) of the PCP group also reported the need for additional training.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest the need for OPC educational programs aimed toward health care providers without advanced training related to the oral cavity.
McCunniff
M D
MD
Department of Dental Public Health and Behavioral Science, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, 64108-2784, USA.
Barker
G J
GJ
Barker
B E
BE
Williams
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States