Objectives:To assess primary care physicians’ (PCPs) knowledge and attitudes toward sleep disorders.Methods:In this cross-sectional quantitative study, we surveyed 88 primary care centers under the Ministry of Health during 2015 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using a combination of pre-designed validated questionnaires. Knowledge was assessed using the Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education (ASKME) questionnaire, and attitude was assessed using a pre-designed survey. For numerical variables, t-test was used, and for categorical variables, Chi-square test was used.Results:Data from 223 PCPs (males 50.2%) were analyzed. Among the participants, 44 (19.9%) did not know that sleep medicine is a distinct medical specialty, and 24 (10.9%) felt that sleep disorders are uncommon medical problems based on their daily practice. Only 87 (39%) of physicians stated that they referred patients with sleep disorders to specialized medical centers for further management. The mean score of the ASKME questionnaire was 14.4 ± 4 out of 30 (48%). The majority of physicians (78.5%) obtained a score between 11 and 20. Score results were not related to gender or years of practice.Conclusion:Primary care physicians’ have a low level of awareness and poor knowledge of sleep medicine and sleep disorders.

Aim: To assess the current knowledge of the first aid management of epistaxis and misconceptions among the general Saudi population.Methods: A survey questionnaire was developed and was distributed via text message, email, social networks, various websites, and web forums among the Saudi population. Responses were collected over a period of 2 months. Knowledge was assessed based on correct responses to 6 main questions. Five to 6 correct answers was considered excellent knowledge, 3 -4 as good knowledge, and 2 and below as poor knowledge.Results: There were 1,760 individuals who responded to the survey, 577 (32.8%) were males. There were 828 respondents (47.0%) who received information on the first aid management of epistaxis, the most common source of information was through a relative or a friend (15.7%). Only 199 respondents (11.3%) will apply pressure to control epistaxis, 99 (5.6%) knows where to correctly press, and 84 (4.78%) will correctly tilt the head forward. There were 132 respondents (7.5%) who thought that patients should be brought to the ER in all cases of epistaxis. There were 1,111 respondents (63.2%) who have poor knowledge of first aid management of epistaxis. Conclusion:There is poor knowledge of the first aid management of epistaxis in the surveyed Saudi population. Increased awareness and information dissemination programs on the first aid management of epistaxis can improve knowledge and recall among the general population.

PCPs did not adequately assess their patients' driving history and eligibility. Efforts are needed to improve awareness among PCPs regarding the effects of chronic medical conditions on driving.

Objectives: Epidemiological studies have shown that tinnitus and occupational hearing loss are common symptoms in the working population. Only few studies have assessed the aforementioned symptoms in this population, none of which have assessed airport field workers, thus the need for our study. Methodology:A cross-sectional study was conducted among airport field workers at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh. The sample size was calculated to be 380. Each was asked to fill a self-administered questionnaire and undergo pure tone audiometry to assess hearing level. The questionnaire assessed the participants' demographics, usage of protective hearing equipment (PHE) as well as prevalence and characteristics of tinnitus if present.Results: Of all field workers, 300 (78%) have agreed to participate in the study. A number of 180 (60%) participants believe that PHE prevents noise-related hearing loss. Of all participants, 114 (38%) of workers use PHE. No association was found between the participants' believe regarding PHE benefits and their usage of the equipment (P=0.473). Tinnitus was reported by 81 (27%) of the whole sample. Most of the participants 171 (57%) were found to have hearing impairment (>25dB HL) at low frequencies (0.5, 1, 2kHz), in comparison to 144 (48%) at high frequencies (4 and 8kHz). Conclusion:Even with relatively good knowledge about the importance of PHE, only few workers actually use them. Thus, frequent audiometric screening tests as well as enforcement of PHE usage by airport field workers needs to be introduced by the airport administrations.

When coexist in a competitive environment, PV offers a remarkably better access to cholecystectomies compared to PB. Facilitating access to PV can be an effective strategy to improve patient's access to surgical care.