title: Significance of continuous medical education of general practitioners about common diseases--iron deficiency anemia.
abstract: Three years long, prospective study was performed in order to evaluate a possible influence of continuing medical education of general practitioners on managing the patients with common diseases such as iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Altogether 1586 patients that were referred to Hematology Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital Center Rtjeka, Croatia due to diagnosis of IDA were examined by clinical hematologist during the first visit and follow up period, were questioned by the means of questionnaire and complete laboratory analyzes were performed in order to: evaluate physical condition and laboratory findings, to assess duration of anemia, possible other specialists' consultation, iron supplementation therapy, and finally, determine the type of anemia present. Initial group of 983 patients was examined during one year period. Following the education campaign the same parameters were analyzed in comparable (final) group of 603 patients during next one year period. Following the education, the number of patients referred to Outpatient Clinic due to diagnosis of IDA was significantly decreased from 983 (61.97%) to 603 (38.02%) (p < 0.05) as was the number of patients referred as having IDA but finally established to have a different type of anemia, from 661 (97.24%) to 149 (24.71%) (p < 0.001). The number of patients started on iron supplementation therapy before establishing the type of anemia was significantly decreased from 543 (55.24%) to 76 (12.60%) (p < 0.001) as well as duration of iron supplementation therapy administered in these cases (21 +/- 9.8 vs. 6 +/- 8.7 weeks) (p < 0.001). We have detected a significant decrease in: time necessary for definitive diagnosis (49 +/- 19.2 vs. 28 +/- 9.1 weeks) (p < 0.001), number of visits to other specialists (2.9 +/- 1.35 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.94) (p < 0.05), duration of anemia before treatment initialization (41 +/- 29.8 vs. 26 +/- 18.7 weeks) (p < 0.001). Average hemoglobin (Hg) level in patients referred to hematologist was significantly lower following education (98.9 +/- 15.5 vs. 82.6 +/- 14.2) (p < 0.05). Continuing medical education of primary care physicians has significant role in diagnosis and treatment of patients with IDA. Education programs result in benefits for the patients and physicians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Dermatovenerology, University Hospital Center Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. tanjabatinac@net.hr
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Batinac
authors.forename: Duska
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petranović
authors.forename: Antica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duletić-Nacinović
authors.forename: Biserka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Troselj-Vukić
authors.forename: Badema
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jelovcić-Barbić
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000628:therapy*; D017523:Croatia; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation