Medical Science
Volume 26, Issue 119, January 2022
Assessment of otolaryngology knowledge among primary care providers in Saudi Arabia
Badr A Alobaida1♦, Faisal A Alayed1, Abdullah K Alrudayni1, Rakan A Alzabadin1, Sultan A Aldera1, Naif I Alrajhi1, Meshal I Alfrayan1, Abdulrahman K Almassari1, Feras A Alrakaf1, Fahad Z Alotaibi2
1Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, College of Medicine
(IMSIU), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
2Department of otolaryngology, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic
University, College of Medicine (IMSIU) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia
♦Corresponding author
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, College of Medicine
(IMSIU), Riyadh,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge and deficits of otolaryngology in primary care physicians who work at primary
care centers or tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, KSA. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among residents of primary care
specialties and otolaryngology residents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A 10-item question with multiple-choice to assess the knowledge
toward otolaryngology was given to the primary care provider by using face to face interview. Further, questions about clinical
rotation in otolaryngology during medical school and residency were asked whether they participated or not. Results: A total of 253
primary care physicians took part (92 internal medicines, 79 family medicines, and 82 pediatrics) and 13 otolaryngologists, Primary
care physicians who participated in clinical rotations during medical school and residency were 79.7% and 26.3%, respectively.
Otolaryngologists' percentage of average correct knowledge score was (89.2%), family medicine (62.9%), pediatrics (55.4%), and
internal medicine (52.5%). Primary care providers who participated in a clinical rotation in otolaryngology showed significantly
higher knowledge scores than those who did not participate (p<0.001). Conclusion: primary care physicians had unsatisfactory
ratings after examinations. Previous otolaryngology clinical rotation during residency had a positive effect on the knowledge of
PCPs with their daily practice, which supports adding further clinical training in otolaryngology for primary care specialties.
Keywords: otolaryngology; Knowledge; primary care physicians; residency;
assessment
Medical Science, 2022, 26, ms14e2034
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi/v26i119/ms14e2034
Published: 7 January 2022
