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

Background: Many clinical entities manifest early characteristic changes in the fundus of the eye. The value of fundoscopy cannot be overemphasized and 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 the physicians present at the Ordinary General Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (Rivers State branch) held in Port Harcourt on 30th June 2014. Methods: A self administered questionnaire about their knowledge and practice of fundoscopy was administered to 125 medical doctors attending the Ordinary General Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (Rivers State branch) held in Port Harcourt on 30th June 2014. Questions asked tested the Knowledge and Practice of the physicians on matters related to fundoscopy. Participants’ knowledge and practice 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 software—Scientific Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and subsequently analyzed. Results: The study participants were 125 physicians; 86 males and 39 females (M:F = 2.2:1). Twenty-eight percent of the study participants had good knowledge of fundoscopy while only 15% had good practice. Seventy eight physicians representing 62.4% of the participants could correctly refer patients with the need for fundoscopy to an ophthalmologist, whereas 11 (8.8%) worked in facilities without basic instrument for fundoscopy (ophthalmoscope). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that knowledge and practice of fundoscopy among medical practitioners in Port Harcourt is poor and far from ideal. Therefore, refresher courses emphasizing the acquisition of the skill in fundoscopy and the provision of ophthalmoscopes in our General Practitioners’ clinics are necessary.