title: Knowledge of diagnostic and risk factors in oral cancer: results from a large-scale survey among non-dental healthcare providers in Northern Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A survey was conducted to assess the level of knowledge on oral cancer among different medical fields, in particular about diagnostic items and risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to physicians from various fields, such as otorhinolaryngology, general practice, internal medicine, and dermatology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  388 of the 2,952 questionnaires were returned (13.1%), subdivided into otorhinolaryngology (n = 33), internal medicine (n = 135), dermatology (n = 28), and general practice (n = 192). The average knowledge of risk factors was similar in the specialisations, ranging from 68% for internal medicine to 76% for otorhinolaryngology and 77% for dermatology. The three main risk factors: tobacco (93%-100%), alcohol (79%-100%), and prior oral cancer lesions (91%-100%) were the most commonly known. Regarding the diagnostic items, the average percentage of correct answers ranged from 69% for internal and general medicine to 77% for dermatologists. Continuous courses of education and the year of graduation were the only two variables that significantly related to a better level of knowledge of risk factors and diagnostic items.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The average knowledge among the different medical fields was satisfying. These results demonstrated a robust base for all healthcare providers to continue working together to improve the early detection of oral cancer.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, (Head: Prof. Dr. Dr. Jörg Wiltfang), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Str. 16, 24105 Kiel, Germany. Electronic address: hertrampf@mkg.uni-kiel.de.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hertrampf
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Prosthodontics, Propaedeutics and Dental Materials, (Head: Prof. Dr. Matthias Kern), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Str. 16, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Studies, (Head: Prof. Dr. Michael Koller), University Hospital Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, (Head: Prof. Dr. Petra Ambrosch), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus 27, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ambrosch
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Radiotherapy, (Head: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Dunst), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus 50, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arpe
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, (Head: Prof. Dr. Dr. Jörg Wiltfang), University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Str. 16, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiltfang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D052685:Alphapapillomavirus / Q000502:physiology; D003880:Dermatology / Q000193:education; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004501:Education, Medical; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000193:education; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000821:virology; D010820:Physicians; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D064424:Tobacco Use
keywords: Dermatology; General practice; Internal medicine; Oral cancer; Otolaryngology; Survey