[Self assessment of strengths, weaknesses and self confidence of primary care physicians taking care of rheumatic diseases].

BACKGROUND

Rheumatologic diseases are common and frequently managed by primary care physicians.

AIM

To assess strengths, weaknesses and self confidence of primary care physicians in the management of rheumatic diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A self assessment and anonymous questionnaire was mailed to primary care physicians of two Chilean regions. Using a 10 points Likert scale, they were asked about personal interest, undergraduate training, continuous medical education, availability of medical literature, complementary laboratory tests and consultation with a rheumatologist. Medical skills, knowledge, therapeutic approach and performance of rheumatologic procedures were evaluated under the item confidence.

RESULTS

Three hundred forty seven out of 763 physicians (45%) answered the questionnaire. Their age range extended from 25 to 75 years, 59% were male, 58% were Chilean and 74% worked in the Metropolitan region. The worst evaluated parameters were availability of literature with a score of 2.2+/-2, access to consultation with a rheumatologist (3.8+/-2.2) and to continuous medical education (4.3+/-2.7). Physicians had a better confidence in their knowledge (6.7+/-1.5) and in their therapeutic approach (6.1+/-1.5). The worst confidence score was for shoulder injection therapy (3.4+/-2.6). Continuous medical education correlated with knowledge but not with clinical skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary care physicians perform a bad assessment of their skills in rheumatology. They have a low level of confidence in their clinical skills to perform rheumatologic procedures. Continuous medical education improves confidence in knowledge but not in skills.