Physician Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Fibromyalgiaand Factor's Influencing Knowledge in Eastern Province , Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatological disease that is difcult to diagnose , because of it's subjective symptoms and decient physician's knowledge of the disease . The purpose of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of family physicians regarding bromyalgia Methods: The study was a cross sectional with an online survey that was administered to general practitioners and family physicians in Eastern province, responses were obtained from 209 participants, knowledge about bromyalgia, attitude and practice were assessed Results: Regarding knowledge about bromyalgia, 89% of the respondents had poor knowledge. Attitudes revealed that More than half of the respondents (56%) thought that bromyalgia is easy to diagnosed. However, only 12.4% of the medical practitioners agreed that diagnosis of bromyalgia can be conducted in PHC setting and only 16.7% felt condent to use (ACR) criteria. Regarding management, about 27% believed they can manage bromyalgia . Only a quarter (24.9%) said they never manage any cases of bromyalgia. Conclusions: knowledge, attitude and practice regarding bromyalgia are poor which results in delay in the diagnosis and management.To overcome this delays in diagnosis and treatment and improve knowledge about bromyalgia, further education is needed