What Researchers Did
Researchers surveyed 313 Canadian primary care physicians using a 24-item questionnaire to assess their knowledge of and attitudes toward hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for diabetic foot ulcers.
What They Found
Less than 10% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of HBOT, although 57% reported a good attitude toward the therapy. Knowledge and attitude were positively correlated (P < .0001), with good knowledge associated with factors like being male, younger than 40, and having previously referred patients for HBOT.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with diabetic foot ulcers may encounter primary care physicians with limited knowledge of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, potentially affecting referral decisions. Patients might need to proactively discuss HBOT with their doctors, especially if their physician has not previously referred for this treatment.
Canadian Relevance
This study directly surveyed Canadian primary care physicians at a conference in Toronto, making its findings highly relevant to the Canadian healthcare context.
Study Limitations
The study relied on self-reported knowledge and attitudes from physicians attending a specific conference, which may not represent all Canadian primary care physicians.