Development of the obstructive sleep apnea knowledge and attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and validate a questionnaire that assesses physicians' knowledge and attitudes about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitudes (OSAKA) questionnaire.


METHODS
Questionnaire study.


METHODS
Physicians associated with the Washington University Physicians Network.


METHODS
Twenty physicians in the pilot testing and 115 physicians in the final testing of the instrument.


METHODS
Physicians completed the OSAKA questionnaire containing sections regarding knowledge about OSA (18 items), attitudes about OSA (five items), and demographics of the study participants.


RESULTS
Knowledge scores ranged from 0 to 18 (mean+/-SD=13.3+/-2.8). Individual knowledge items did not differ significantly by gender or by whether or not respondents had completed subspecialty training. The five attitude items were significantly correlated with one another. Knowledge scores correlated with the 5-item attitude scale. There was a negative correlation between age and knowledge (r=-0.368, P<0.001) and between age and the single attitude item pertaining to physicians' confidence in managing patients with OSA (r=-0.198, P=0.036); thus, the older the respondent, the lower the knowledge score and the less confident they were in managing patients with OSA.


CONCLUSIONS
The OSAKA appears to be a useful instrument to measure physicians' knowledge about OSA, their views on its importance as a clinical disorder, and their confidence in identifying and managing patients with this disorder.
Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Helena M
HM
Schotland
Donna B
DB
Jeffe
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires