Healthcare Professionals' Perceptions and Knowledge of the USPSTF Guidelines on Breast Self-Examination. Issue 8 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loh, Kah Poh; Stefan, Mihaela S.; Friderici, Jennifer; Tan, Eng Keong; Ogunneye, Owolabi; Kleppel, Reva; Stewart, James A.
• Is Part Of: Southern medical journal. Volume 108:Issue 8(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-4348

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Objectives</title> <p>In 2009, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published revised guidelines for breast cancer screening, which recommended against teaching breast self-examination (BSE). The objective of this study was to assess providers' perceptions and knowledge regarding these updated guidelines.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods</title> <p>A cross-sectional survey study was administered to 205 attending and resident physicians, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and registered nurses working in five medical and gynecological practices affiliated with a large academic teaching hospital in western Massachusetts. The survey solicited demographic data and inquired about practitioners' perceptions and knowledge of the revised guidelines.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>Fewer than half (41.1%) of respondents correctly identified the new USPSTF guidelines for BSE. Among those who stated they were aware of guidelines, only 37.1% adhered to them. Overall, 70% report that they teach patients to perform BSE. Teaching BSE was associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–6.29), a belief that BSE reduces morbidity and mortality (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.08–7.81), and internal medicine residency (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06–0.59).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Knowledge of the 2009 USPSTF guidelines is suboptimal and greater efforts should be made to educate healthcare professionals about them.</p> </sec> </abstract>