Almutairi Futun, Rabbani Unaib
Family Medicine Academy, Qassim Health Cluster, Buraydah, SAU.
Cureus. 2025 Jun 17;17(6):e86197. doi: 10.7759/cureus.86197. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Short stature (SS) causes a significant social and mental burden on patients and their families. Primary healthcare (PHC) physicians (Family Medicine) are crucial in securing the timely evaluation and referral of children with SS. This research aimed to assess the management and referral of short-stature patients by PHC physicians about SS in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among PHC physicians in Buraidah from November 2024 to February 2025. A validated closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect data online. Descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out to assess knowledge levels, attitudes, practices, and factors influencing their knowledge of SS. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
A total of 143 PHC physicians participated in the study. Mean knowledge score (standard deviation) was 7.0 (±2.47) out of 13. About 99 (69%) would refer a patient once the height falls below the 5th percentile. More than half, 79 (55%), considered growth hormone as an option for the treatment of SS. Seventy-two percent used local growth charts. The most common tests requested before referral of SS patients were complete blood count (CBC) 110 (77%) and thyroid function test 109 (76%). The majority (79% to 98.6%) of participant indicated their learning needs on various aspects of SS. There was no significant difference in the knowledge score with respect to socio-demographic and professional characteristics except for nationality.
Knowledge level of PHC physicians in Buraidah is moderate (68%), with the majority indicating their learning needs on this topic. The study's findings call for focused educational initiatives and policy enhancements to advance healthcare delivery for children with SS in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.
身材矮小（SS）给患者及其家庭带来了巨大的社会和心理负担。基层医疗（PHC）医生（家庭医学医生）在确保身材矮小儿童得到及时评估和转诊方面至关重要。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯布赖代的基层医疗医生对身材矮小患者的管理和转诊情况。
2024年11月至2025年2月在布赖代的基层医疗医生中进行了一项横断面研究。使用经过验证的封闭式问卷在线收集数据。进行描述性和推断性分析以评估知识水平、态度、实践以及影响他们对身材矮小知识的因素。使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）分析数据。
共有143名基层医疗医生参与了该研究。在满分13分的情况下，平均知识得分（标准差）为7.0（±2.47）。一旦身高低于第5百分位数，约99名（69%）医生会转诊患者。超过一半，即79名（55%）医生认为生长激素是治疗身材矮小的一种选择。72%的医生使用当地生长图表。在转诊身材矮小患者之前最常要求进行的检查是全血细胞计数（CBC），有110名（77%）医生要求进行此项检查，甲状腺功能检查有109名（76%）医生要求进行。大多数（79%至98.6%）参与者表示他们在身材矮小的各个方面都有学习需求。除国籍外，知识得分在社会人口统计学和专业特征方面没有显著差异。
布赖代的基层医疗医生知识水平中等（68%），大多数人表示他们在这个主题上有学习需求。该研究结果呼吁开展有针对性的教育举措并加强政策，以改善沙特阿拉伯布赖代身材矮小儿童的医疗服务。
