Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess Saudi physicians' awareness and knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guideline recommendations.METHODS: Cross-sectional study including physicians involved in COPD care in five hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The level
of physicians' knowledge was considered as satisfactory (score > 80%), fair (score 50-80%) or poor (<50% of total score).RESULTS: Among the 44 physicians included in the study, the mean ± standard deviation knowledge score was 29.5 ± 4.2 out of 45 points (65.5%).
Most physicians appeared to be unaware of any COPD guidelines (n = 27, 61.4%), and reported not adhering to guidelines (n = 28, 63.6%).CONCLUSION: Saudi physicians' knowledge about Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines was assessed as fair. It
is therefore highly recommended to increase physicians' awareness and knowledge about COPD-related guidelines.