title: How accurate is diagnosis of congenital anomalies made by family physicians?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although family physicians have a key role in clinical management of many diseases and in community health, the accuracy of the diagnosis for congenital anomalies by family physicians still needs more investigations. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of family physicians in case detection and diagnosis of congenital anomalies in rural areas, northwest of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a community-based study of 22500 children born between 2004 and 2012, all 172 cases of congenital anomalies diagnosed by family physicians were assessed by a qualified pediatrician in 47 health houses in rural areas of Tabriz District, northwest Iran. A group of 531 children was compared as control subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall sensitivity and specificity of family physicians‟ diagnosis for congenital anomalies were estimated 98% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 95.9 to 100) and 100% (95% CI: 99.3 to 100), respectively. Sensitivity for diagnosis of congenital heart diseases was 97% (95% CI: 93 to 100), and for genitourinary tract, it was 86% (95% CI: 59 to 100). Specificity was estimated 100% for both groups of heart and genitourinary tract anomalies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The performance of family physicians was found accurate enough in the diagnosis of congenital anomalies. Health care system may consider family physician program as an effective approach to detect and clinical management of congenital anomalies.
authors: Tabriz Health Services Management Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Mashhadi Abdolahi
authors: Pediatric Health Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Hassan
authors: MH
authors: Kargar Maher
authors: Tabriz Health Services Management Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Majid
authors: M
authors: Karamouz
authors: Tabriz District Health Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz Iran.
authors: Farzaneh
authors: F
authors: Afsharnia
authors: Tabriz District Health Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz Iran.
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Khosroshahi
authors: Tabriz Health Services Management Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Saeed
authors: S
authors: Dastgiri
keywords: Accuracy; Congenital anomalies; Diagnosis; Family physician
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