Family Physicians' Knowledge Level of Musculoskeletal System Anatomy: Cross-Sectional Study in Kahramanmaras City

Objective: Family physicians (FP) frequently encounter musculoskeletal system (MSS) disorders. Physicians, capable of making fine physical examination, are required for family health centers since diagnostic equipment is limited. Fine physical examination depends on adequate human anatomy (HA) knowledge. The aim of this study is to investigate the HA knowledge level on MSS among FP practicing in Kahramanmaras. Materials and Methods: This study was approved by institutional review board. 184 FP attended instructional seminars organized by City General Secretariat of Public Hospitals Association and 85 (46.1%) volunteered to be involved in the study. Volunteers were subjected to test including 20 multiple-choice questions on MSS anatomy. The test included four question groups (bone-ligament, muscle-tendon, nerve and vascular anatomy), each of which were comprised of five questions. The results were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The average point of all volunteers was 8.1±3.2. According to question groups, average points were 3.0±1.0 for vascular, 2.4±1.3 for bone-ligament, 1.3±1.1 for muscle-tendon and 1.2±0.9 for nerve group with significant difference (p=0.001). Insignificant negative correlation was detected between reported duration of professional experience and received points considering question groups. Besides, there was no statistically significant difference between FP practicing in province and districts with regard to average points considering question groups. Conclusion: We believe further studies are required to evaluate knowledge level and interest of FP to HA. Besides, necessity for reinforcement of pre-graduate HA education and potentiality of postgraduate instructional seminars including practices for HA to improve health service quality and motivation of FP should be considered. Amaç: Aile hekimleri (AH) kas-iskelet sistemi (KİS) sorunları ile sık karşılaşmaktadır. Aile sağlığı merkezlerinde tanısal cihaz donanımının sınırlı olması nedeniyle iyi fizik muayene yapabilen hekimlere ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. İyi fizik muayene yeterli Tıbbi Anatomi (TA) bilgisine dayanmaktadır. Çalışmamızda Kahramanmaraş’ta görev yapan AH’nin KİS üzerine TA bilgi düzeyinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışmamız yerel etik kuruldan onay almıştır. İl Kamu Hastaneler Birliği Genel Sekreterliği’nin düzenlemiş olduğu bilgi yenileme seminerlerine iştirak eden 184 aile hekiminden 85’i (%46,1) çalışmaya gönüllü olarak katıldı. Gönüllüler KİS anatomisi üzerine toplam 20 çoktan seçmeli sorudan oluşan teste tabi tutuldu. Test her biri beşer adet soru içeren dört soru grubundan (kemik-ligament, kas-tendon, sinir ve damar anatomisi) oluşuyordu. Sonuçlar kaydedildi ve istatistiksel değerlendirmeye tabi tutuldu. Bulgular: Tüm katılımcıların puan ortalaması 8,1±3,2 idi. Soru gruplarına göre puan ortalamaları yüksekten düşüğe doğru şu şekilde sıralanabilir: damar grubu 3,0±1,0; kemik-ligament grubu 2,4±1,3; kas-tendon grubu 1,3±1,1; sinir grubu 1,2±0,9. Soru grupları arasındaki farkın istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olduğu tespit edildi (p=0.001). Bildirilen mesleki tecrübe süreleri ile alınan grup puanları arasında anlamlı olmayan negatif yönlü bir ilişki saptandı. Ayrıca il merkezi ve ilçelerde görev yapan AH arasında, soru gruplarına göre puan ortalamaları açısından istatistiksel anlamlı fark saptanmadı. Sonuç: Daha ileri çalışmalarla AH’nin TA konusundaki bilgi düzeylerinin ve ilgilerinin değerlendirilmesinin gerekliliğine inanmaktayız. Ayrıca mezuniyet öncesi TA eğitiminin güçlendirilmesinin gerekliliği; pratik eğitimleri de kapsayan mezuniyet sonrası TA bilgi yenileme programlarının sağlık hizmetleri kalitesini ve AH’nin motivasyonunu artırması olasılığı göz önünde bulundurulmalıdır.

Keywords:

Family practice physical examination, musculoskeletal system, anatomy,

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