Knowledge and Practice of Fundoscopy Among Medical Doctors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

General Ophthalmology

Abstract

Background: Ophthalmic fundoscopy assesses the optic disc, the vessels, the retinal background, the macula and the retina periphery  with the purpose of arriving at a conclusion that the eye is normal or otherwise. It is of diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up  significance. Detailed fundus examination is an integral part of comprehensive clinical care in neurological examination of patients. Many clinical entities manifest early characteristic changes in the fundus of the eye. Every medical doctor is expected to be able to use the ophthalmoscope to detect common pathological changes. However, more often than not fundoscopy is seen as an exclusive specialized skill of the ophthalmologist.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and practice of fundoscopy among medical doctors present at the Ordinary  General Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (Rivers State branch) held in Port Harcourt on 30th June 2014.

Methods: Self-administered questionnaire was the research instrument. One hundred and twentyfive respondents who verbally  consented were recruited for the study. Questions asked tested the Knowledge (13 questions) and Practice (7 questions) of the medical  doctors on matters relating to fundoscopy. Participants’ knowledge were graded as Good for scores of 75% and above, Fair  for 50% - 74% score and Poor for scores less than 50%. Respondents’ demographic data, responses and corresponding scores were entered into computer soft ware—Scientific Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and subsequently analyzed.