Evaluation of knowledge levels of of family physicians about headache in primary care of Van district

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Headache is a common presentation in primary care. Primary headaches cause more disability and necessitate high utilisation of health care. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge level of family physicians about headache in primary care of Van district. METHODS: A total of 120 family physicians completed a questionnaire relating to their knowledge, attitude and experience about diagnostic features of common primary headache syndromes and their treatment. The questionnaire was prepared according to IHS diagnostic criteria and published treatment guidelines. RESULTS: Only 4.2% of 120 physicians had family medicine specialty, the others were general practitioners. 29.2% of the physicians thought that they have sufficient knowledge and experience for diagnosis and treatment of headache. 73.3% of the participants thought that the education they had received before the graduation related to headache was inadequate. Only 55% of physicians thought that anamnesis was the most important diagnostic tool for primary headache. Physicians responded correctly to questions of 6.7-47.5% in the management of migraine, 11.7-40.8% in tension type headache, and 16.7-37.5% in cluster type headache. 70% of physicians stated that they need for regular training programs related to headaches. The resource that physicians most needed for headaches was online source (67.5%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study provides important information relating to the management of headache in primary care in Van district and highlights the need for continuing medical education.

Keywords

• headache
• primary care
• knowledge
• family physicians