Management of tuberculosis in San Diego County: a survey of physicians' knowledge, attitudes and practices

SETTING: A survey conducted in San Diego County. OBJECTIVE: To assess local physicians' knowledge, attitudes and practices r egarding tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: The survey consisted of questions covering diagnosis and treatment of active disease, diagnosis and treatment of latent infection, and infect ion control. The survey was sent to physicians who reported a TB case or su spect to the local health department in the years 1995-1997. RESULTS: Of the 384 physicians in this group, 150 (39%) returned the survey form. The percentage of physicians whose response conformed to health depa rtment guidelines varied widely from question to question (51%-94%, median 83%). Pulmonary medicine and infectious diseases specialists, physicians ed ucated completely in the United States (US), and physicians who treated six or more TB patients in the past 2 years were more likely to give answers i n agreement with health department policies. CONCLUSIONS: Because the response rate to the survey was low, these finding s may not be completely representative of the targeted group of physicians. Nevertheless, they may indicate that health care provider education about TB management standards is needed.