Knowledge, practice and attitude about photodynamic therapy use among practicing nurses: A large scale cross-sectional data on implementation of photodynamic therapy education

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, practice and attitude towards photodynamic therapy (PDT) among nurses of several medical colleges in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition, to appraise the implementation of PDT education in their clinical practice, we have conducted a large cohort cross-sectional study to identify their interest in PDT training, if they ever received one. Materials and methods: A descriptive observational cross-sectional survey was conducted among the medical nurses in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was formulated consisting of 20 items in five sections to assess knowledge, behavior, practice and attitude of medical nurses regarding PDT. To compare behavior, knowledge and clinical perceptions with knowledge score of nurses’, spearman correlation coefficient was used. Results: A total of 225 participants completed questionnaires were analyzed. Most of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge. A cumulative 41 % of respondents agreed on the point when asked about ‘awareness of the therapeutic significance of PDT’. Whereas, 61 % respondents answered to the option ‘sometimes’ when queried about ‘do you endorse therapeutic choices of PDT to patient’. Moreover, 17 % respondents answered the option ‘always’ when questioned about ‘do you recommend patients to consider PDT for skin melanoma, psoriasis, surgical excision, curettage and cryotherapy?’ There were 26 % respondents who agreed to the question when inquired about ‘how contented are you in knowing about PDT in clinical practice?’. Whereas, 93 % respondents showed their interest on hands on session on PDT. A majority of the respondents 41 % chose the option ‘PDT is peripheral to my role as medical nurse. Conclusion: Nurses demonstrated good knowledge related to PDT and modest awareness about the therapeutic significance of PDT. A high number of practicing nurse s showed interest for skilled PDT education seminars and workshops.