ABSTRACT

We aimed to evaluate pulmonary medicine physicians’ attitudes about obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and its treatment in Izmir.

About 78 of 120 pulmonary medicine physicians in Izmir answered the questionnaire containing 24 items (demographics: 6, education: 4, attitudes: 9, knowledge: 5).

67.9% of the participants were female. Mean age was 41.06±5.63, mean working year was 11.16±6.09. 52.6% worked in training and research hospitals, 32.1% in state hospitals, and the rest in private and university hospitals. Monthly patient number was 714.10±3.24, patients number with OSA symptoms was 14.85±2.15. 64.1% had completed speciality education in hospitals with sleep disorders centers and this ratio was higher in physicians whose working year was less than 10. 24.4% had practiced sleep study during this education. Participation in sleep study courses after speciality education was 48.7%. 26.9% worked as sleep specialist. 67.9% usually asked patients OSA symptoms and 38.5% asked preoperative OSA symptoms. 97.4% usually referred patients to sleep centers. 65.4% had been working in hospitals with sleep disorders centers. The ratio of correct answers in knowledge part of the questionnaire was 95%.

OSAS is a major pulmonary disease and it is important in order to find out the patients with OSA risk. 2.07% of patients in clinics have OSA symptoms. Physicians’ confidence in diagnosis is more than managing patients with OSA. Practical part of sleep study is not enough in speciality education. Asking OSA symptoms is not common in pre-operative examination.

Keywords: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, questionnaire, knowledge, attitude