Investigation of the Knowledge Levels of Physicians Working in the Emergency Department About Testicular Torsion: Observational Study

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the level of knowledge of emergency physicians about the clinical approach to testicular torsion. Material and Methods: A questionnaire with 10 questions was prepared to determine the level of knowledge about acute scrotum. 4 questions consisted of demographic data and 10 questions consisted of questions about clinical knowledge. Four of these questions were specifically measuring physical examination (PE) knowledge. The total scores of the answers given and the answers to the questions measuring PE knowledge were recorded separately, each question being one score. Total scores were compared according to gender, institution and degree. Results: A total of 99 emergency physicians were reached for the study. Mean age 27.6±4.6 years; male/female ratio was 55/44. The mean total score of all physicians was 6.13±1.63; The mean total score of the 4-question PE was 2.29±1.07. Physicians participating in the survey were separated according to their gender, institution, and degree, and their total scores were compared. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups. While no statistically significant difference was observed in PE scores according to gender and the institutions they work at, there was a statistically significant difference between specialist physicians (3.09±1.04) and general practitioners (1.94±0.95) when compared according to their degrees (p: 0.009). Conclusion: It is important to increase the PE knowledge of the physicians working in the emergency department about testicular torsion through continuous education after graduation in order to prevent organ losses.