Abstract:

There is no consensus on which of the musculo-skeletal system diseases, bone and joint pathologies a family physician should diagnose and treat. The aim of this study was to identify the conditions related to orthopedics and traumatology which can be adequately diagnosed and treated by family physicians. A questionnaire comprised of 51 questions was administered to 100 physicians including residents of family medicine, family physicians and professors of family medicine (36% residents, 64% family physicians and professors). The most common subjects which were stated as 'should be known' were congenital hip dislocation (94.4%), genu varum and genu valgus deformities (91.7%), rickets (91.7%), and torticollis (91.7%). Application of elastic bandage (88.9%), care of wound and burns (83. 3%), and orthosis of fractures (80.6%) were three most common areas stated as 'should be treated' by family physicians. Putting more weight on diagnosis and primary treatment of conditions related to Orthopedics and Traumatology in the core curricula of medical schools and addition of orthopedics and traumatology to family medicine residency programs are suggested as ways to improve the knowledge and skills of the family physicians in this area.

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