To develop an education program to improve General Medical Practitioners’ (GMPs’) awareness of dry mouth and influence their clinical practice.
Method:
Individual structured interviews were conducted with 20 GMPs to explore their awareness (perceptions and knowledge) and clinical practice related to dry mouth. Data from the interviews were used to inform the development of an education program to assist GMPs to identify and manage patients with dry mouth. The education program consisted of an education module with both predisposing and structured learning activities, and a clinical module in which GMPs audited of a sample of their patients identified as “at-risk-of-dry-mouth”.
Another 12 GMPs then undertook this education program. Questionnaires were used to assess their awareness and clinical practice regarding dry mouth before and after undertaking the education program. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-education program values.
Result:
The structured interviews indicated that GMPs had only vague or very general knowledge of the oral health implications of dry mouth. Most GMPs identified the problem only if the patient complained of dry mouth and often gave advice that was potentially deleterious to oral health. Most GMPs were aware that some medications caused hyposalivation, but were divided as to whether dry mouth would influence their prescribing. GMPs indicated that they would like patient resources on dry mouth.
Ten of the 12 GMPs completed the pre- and post-education program questionnaires. Paired t-tests demonstrated a significant improvement in GMP awareness of dry mouth (P=0.002) and a significant increase in GMP’s ratings of their ability and willingness to incorporate identification and management of dry mouth into their clinical practice (P=0.0001).
Conclusion:
This dry mouth education program is effective in improving GMPs’ awareness of dry mouth, and through its potential to influence GMP’s clinical practice may positively impact on patients’ oral health.