Undescended testis: Level of knowledge among potential referring health-care providers.
OBJECTIVE
Studies report that most boys with undescended testis(UDT) are referred and operated beyond the recommended age of 1 year, possibly due to lack of awareness of treatment guidelines. We investigate the level of knowledge of UDT among potential referring health-care providers.


METHODS
We devised a survey on the clinical features and appropriate management of UDT. Using convenience sampling, we approached health-care professionals with regular contact with paediatric patients and final year medical students. Respondents were allowed to remain anonymous. They were categorised according to specialty and level of experience/training.


RESULTS
Of 1179 approached, 203 responded. Thirty-six (24%) of 149 qualified doctors had never seen a case of UDT. Median score was 6 (range 1-9). There was no significant difference in scores when comparing specialty. Mean scores decreased significantly in trend according to level of experience. When questioned regarding timings of referral and orchidopexy, 24% of qualified doctors would not refer until 9 months of age, and 66% thought orchidopexy should be done after 1 year old. Half would stop examining for UDT after 2 years old.


CONCLUSIONS
Inexperience with UDT and outdated knowledge may contribute to delays in referral for UDT. Many would stop examining for UDT at 2 years old, placing undue reliance on accurate physical examination in early childhood and indicating lack of awareness of the ascending testis. Community health initiatives must emphasise recent changes in guidelines for management of UDT.
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Li Yan
LY
Lim
Department of Paediatric Surgery, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Shireen A
SA
Nah
Department of Paediatric Surgery, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Narasimhan K
NK
Lakshmi
Department of Paediatric Surgery, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Te-Lu
TL
Yap
Department of Paediatric Surgery, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Anette S
AS
Jacobsen
Department of Paediatric Surgery, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Yee
Y
Low
Department of Paediatric Surgery, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Caroline C P
CC
Ong
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D056126:Orchiopexy; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013737:Testis / Q000601:surgery
cryptorchidism; general practice; orchidopexy; questionnaire; referral pattern