Evaluation of Attitude and Skills of Female General Practitioners in Mashhad, Iran in Approach to a Breast Mass

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor , Department of Surgery, Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor , Department of Surgery, Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 General Practitioner, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, and it is one of the important health issues. General Practitioners in Iran visit most of the patients with breast complaints for the first time, so the knowledge and skills of these physicians are the key point for the best approach to breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitude and skills of female physicians (general practitioners) with this common health problem in Mashhad, Iran.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 50 female physicians that have office in Mashhad, Iran in 2011. Data tool was a 35 years old healthy woman who had normal sonography and mammography with no history of any diseases. She and the researcher have gone to the physician's office with complain of a breast mass. The researcher filled out a check list immediately after the visit.
Results: 32 physicians ( 64%) knew the age of breast cancer, and 30 physicians (60%) knew its relation with pregnancy, but only 12 physicians (24%) asked about the risk factors of breast cancer. 7 physicians (14%) used inspection maneuvers of breast exam and 32 physicians (64%) used palpation maneuvers, but 33 physicians (66%) did not examine lymph nodes completely. 23 physicians (56%) diagnosed incorrectly a mass in the breast, and 19 physicians  (38%) definitely exclude a mass in examination.
Conclusion: The attitude of female general practitioners towards the breast problems is not sufficient, so better training and more feedback after education is recommended.

Keywords

References

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