PHYSICIAN FACTORS AFFECTING REFERRAL OF FEU-NRMF PHYSICIANS TO TB DOTS CLINIC

ABSTRACT: FEU-NRMF Medical Center was recently known as a TB DOTS Providing Hospital back in 2015. However, the referral rate among physicians was reported to be 31% despite the knowledge and awareness about tuberculosis. As such, this study aims to determine the knowledge of FEU-NRMF Physicians on the TB DOTS existence, referral system and hospital policies on TB DOTS as well as their perceptions on referral of presumptive TB patients to the institution's TB DOTS clinic. A sample population of 68 private practitioners of FEU-NRMF Medical Center from the Department of Internal Medicine, Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Surgery, Community and Family Medicine, Ophthalmology, Radiology, and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery were surveyed using a self administered questionnaires. The results of the study revealed that most physicians lack the knowledge on policies of referral (88%) as well as their fear of losing their patients after treatment (57%). Thus, Future plans on establishment of good relationship of the DOTS Program to continuing medical education and accreditation may indeed help raise the referral rate and overall, decrease TB cases and the development of multi-drug resistant TB.

Department of Community & Family Medicine