Level of Knowledge Regarding Peripheral Vascular Trauma Among Family Physicians

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic vascular injuries to the extremities constitute a significant problem, with a high potential for morbidity and mortality when mismanaged from the initial prehospital care stage.

Objective: To determine the level of knowledge regarding peripheral vascular trauma among family physicians in primary health care.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at the “Comandante Manuel Fajardo Rivero” Military Hospital in Santa Clara, Villa Clara, from September 2023 to April 2024. The sample consisted of 48 family physicians. The variables were sex, age, job category, years of experience, and level of knowledge regarding peripheral vascular trauma, peripheral vascular anatomy, care, and management of vascular trauma. For qualitative variables, the χ² test was used, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant for both absolute and relative frequencies; for quantitative variables, the mean, median, and standard deviation were used.

Results: The 23–30 age group was the most common (58.3%), males accounted for 62.5%, residents made up 43.8%, followed by non-specialists at 39.6%. Basic knowledge was most prevalent in vascular anatomy (61.8%), topographic anatomy (87.5%), diagnosis of vascular trauma (60.4%), diagnosis of hypovolemic shock (72.9%), trauma care (70.8%), and management (56.3%).

Conclusions: Primary care physicians possess a basic level of knowledge regarding vascular trauma.