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National survey of physicians in Swedish child health centres finds insecurity and unawareness regarding management of undescended testicles

Hofko Lindkvist, Emma ; Hallabro, Nilla LU orcid ; Anderberg, Magnus LU orcid ; Hambraeus, Mette LU ; Börjesson, Anna LU and Salö, Martin LU (2024) In Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
Abstract

Aim: To investigate underlying factors for previously reported shortcomings in child health centres' (CHC) referral process of boys with undescended testicles. Methods: A total of 386 physicians working at Swedish CHCs were surveyed regarding their knowledge about undescended testicles and their clinical management. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors of non-adherence to guidelines and self-reported lack of clinical skills. Results: The overall knowledge of the health benefits of undescended testicle surgery was high (89%), while two-thirds were unaware of surgery being recommended <1 year of age. One-fifth of respondents had never received guidance on examination techniques. Male gender (adjusted... (More)

Aim: To investigate underlying factors for previously reported shortcomings in child health centres' (CHC) referral process of boys with undescended testicles. Methods: A total of 386 physicians working at Swedish CHCs were surveyed regarding their knowledge about undescended testicles and their clinical management. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors of non-adherence to guidelines and self-reported lack of clinical skills. Results: The overall knowledge of the health benefits of undescended testicle surgery was high (89%), while two-thirds were unaware of surgery being recommended <1 year of age. One-fifth of respondents had never received guidance on examination techniques. Male gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.31–0.86), education in paediatrics (aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18–0.76) and more experience (aOR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.09) significantly decreased the risk of unfamiliarity with examinations. More experience decreased the risk of stating the incorrect indications for undescended testicle surgery (aOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03–0.95) and finding examinations difficult (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07–0.72). Medical education outside Nordic countries was a risk factor for unawareness of guidelines (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.21–3.51). Conclusion: The knowledge and confidence level of the study population varied widely. The results indicate a need for further theoretical and practical education among Swedish CHC physicians.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
child health centres, experience, physical examination, survey, undescended testicle
in
Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • pmid:38415505
  • scopus:85186206047
ISSN
0803-5253
DOI
10.1111/apa.17174
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
74e7d7af-6914-4f98-9a57-6147cf8252a7
date added to LUP
2024-03-22 14:54:36
date last changed
2024-04-19 16:02:31
@article{74e7d7af-6914-4f98-9a57-6147cf8252a7,
  abstract     = {{<p>Aim: To investigate underlying factors for previously reported shortcomings in child health centres' (CHC) referral process of boys with undescended testicles. Methods: A total of 386 physicians working at Swedish CHCs were surveyed regarding their knowledge about undescended testicles and their clinical management. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors of non-adherence to guidelines and self-reported lack of clinical skills. Results: The overall knowledge of the health benefits of undescended testicle surgery was high (89%), while two-thirds were unaware of surgery being recommended &lt;1 year of age. One-fifth of respondents had never received guidance on examination techniques. Male gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.51, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.31–0.86), education in paediatrics (aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18–0.76) and more experience (aOR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.09) significantly decreased the risk of unfamiliarity with examinations. More experience decreased the risk of stating the incorrect indications for undescended testicle surgery (aOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03–0.95) and finding examinations difficult (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07–0.72). Medical education outside Nordic countries was a risk factor for unawareness of guidelines (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.21–3.51). Conclusion: The knowledge and confidence level of the study population varied widely. The results indicate a need for further theoretical and practical education among Swedish CHC physicians.</p>}},
  author       = {{Hofko Lindkvist, Emma and Hallabro, Nilla and Anderberg, Magnus and Hambraeus, Mette and Börjesson, Anna and Salö, Martin}},
  issn         = {{0803-5253}},
  keywords     = {{child health centres; experience; physical examination; survey; undescended testicle}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Acta Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics}},
  title        = {{National survey of physicians in Swedish child health centres finds insecurity and unawareness regarding management of undescended testicles}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/apa.17174}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/apa.17174}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}