Guatemala Internal Medicine Physicians' Knowledge of Non-communicable Disease Clinical Preventive Services

Non-communicable Diseases Clinical Trial

Official title: Knowledge and Recommendations on Tobacco Cessation and Other Preventive Interventions Among Internal Medicine Staff in Guatemala Teaching Hospitals

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

A national cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate recommendations on clinical preventive services and additional information on non-communicable disease prevention. Trained surveyors interviewed interns, residents and attendings of the Internal Medicine departments of all teaching hospitals in Guatemala. Analysis compared recommendation practices within and between hospitals.

Clinical Trial Description

A voluntary, anonymous, self-completed, cross-sectional survey was administered to all available internal medicine staff in Guatemalan teaching hospitals.

The questionnaire included: physician's demographics, work time dedicated to outpatients, knowledge of leading causes of death in Guatemala, guidelines used for non-communicable disease prevention, simulated cases asking for recommendation(s) on different preventive services for asymptomatic adults (i.e. whether they recommended them or not, appropriate frequency and starting age, preferred screening method, and availability of the service(s) at their hospital). The survey also assessed barriers faced in providing adequate services, and opinions on who should implement changes in national health care and in medical education.

The answers given by the internal medicine staff were compared with the United States Preventive Services Task Forces (USPSTF) Recommendations and Guatemalan Ministry of Health Guidelines.

Analysis compared recommendation practices within and between hospitals. ;

Study Design

Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Non-communicable Diseases

• NCT number: NCT01515111
• Study type: Observational
• Source: Unidad de Cirugía Cardiovascular
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: April 2011
• Completion date: January 2012