Abstract:

Objective To investigate the current status of knowledge about hyponatremia among general practitioners in a standardized residency training base (hereafter referred to as general practice residents) at a tertiary grade-A hospital in Shanghai, and to analyze potential influencing factors, aiming to provide a reference for further improving the diagnosis and treatment capabilities of general practice residents regarding hyponatremia. Methods A total of 41 general practice residents at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, were selected as the study subjects from July 2023 to August 2024. A questionnaire was designed based on the Chinese Expert Consensus on Hyponatremia (2023 Edition) (hereafter referred to as the Consensus). The objective survey content included five parts of hyponatremia: classification, etiology, diagnosis and evaluation, treatment, and patient lifestyle interventions. The subjective survey content included whether the general practice residents found it difficult to master the knowledge related to hyponatremia, and whether they considered it necessary to receive related teaching (including lectures and guideline study). Results The average total score of the 41 general practice residents was (73.22 ± 22.63) points, with the lowest score in the treatment of hyponatremia (13.85 ± 5.66) points. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors influencing the overall test score were whether they had attended lectures on hyponatremia [odds ratio (OR) = 39.127, 95% CI: 2.358~649.180, P = 0.011] and whether they had studied the Consensus (OR=19.189, 95% CI: 1.300~283.287, P = 0.031). Scores across all five sections were significantly higher in the group that had attended the lectures or studied the Consensus compared to those that had not (all P < 0.001). Scores across all five sections were also significantly higher in the group that had participated in the diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia patients compared to the group that had not (all P < 0.001). Among the 41 residents, 40 (97.56%) considered the knowledge points of hyponatremia difficult to master; 40 (97.56%) believed that related teaching was necessary; 41 (100.00%) considered that lectures on hyponatremia were helpful for clinical work; and 41 (100.00%) believed it necessary to study the related consensus/guidelines. Conclusions Whether having attended lectures on hyponatremia and whether having studied the Consensus are influencing factors for the total assessment score on hyponatremia among general practice residents. The residents perceive the comprehensive management of patients with hyponatremia as somewhat difficult, demonstrating an urgent need to strengthen relevant training and learning.

Key words: hyponatremia, general practice residents, postgraduate education