Exploring Oral and Maxillofacial Specialty Awareness Gaps amongst Medical Postgraduate Trainees at Karachi

Khalida Faseeh; Shahjahan  Katpar; Muhtada Ahmad; Aftab Ahmed Soomro; Munir Hussain Zardari Zardari

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-1.13126

Authors

Khalida Faseeh Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma & Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan
Shahjahan Katpar Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma & Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan
Muhtada Ahmad Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma & Civil Hospital Karachi Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan
Aftab Ahmed Soomro Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan
Munir Hussain Zardari Zardari Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-1.13126

Keywords:

Medical Profession, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), Postgraduate Students (PG), Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To explore gaps in awareness level about oral and maxillofacial surgery among medical postgraduate trainees across Karachi, Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Dr Ruth KM Pfau and Civil Hospital Karachi-Dow University of Health Sciences, Pakistan from Sep 2023 to Aug 2024.

Methodology: A total of 277 postgraduate trainees from various medical and surgical specialties were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding OMFS.

Results: Out of total 277 postgraduate trainees, 246 (88%) of the participants were aware of the name of the specialty, while 180(65%) were familiar with the scope of the field, 212(76.5%) knew that OMFS is branch of Dentistry and 226(81.6%) acknowledge that maxillofacial surgeons perform procedures other than minor oral surgeries under local anesthesia. Only 136(49.1%) of the study population think that OMF surgeons can perform procedures other than dentoalveolar surgeries. Two hundred twenty-eight (82.3%) of the participants would like to add OMFS in a multi-disciplinary team approach and 233(84.1%) think that OMFS should be a medical specialty. Of 39 practice-related questions, 7(17.9%) showed no significant differences (p > 0.05), while 32(82.05%) showed significant variations (p < 0.05), highlighting the influence of level of training and gaps.

Conclusion: The postgraduate students demonstrate strong awareness of many OMFS roles, but gaps remain in their understanding about specific clinical conditions and procedures.

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Author Biography

Muhtada Ahmad, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma & Civil Hospital Karachi Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan

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