ATTITUDES OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR PHYSICIANS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM: A 2024 CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Longa-López J.; Suarez-Egoávil C. · Revista de la Facultad de Medicina Humana (2025) · DOI: 10.25176/rfmh.v25i2.7478

Resumen

Objective: To describe physicians' attitudes toward the management of hypothyroidism. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, with a convenience sample of 181 physicians. Results: In the prioritization dimension, 66.9% prioritize the management of other chronic conditions, and 90% do not perceive the impact of hypothyroidism on cardiovascular risk. In the diagnosis dimension, 58.6% of physicians do not perform hypothyroidism screening; 76.2% report knowing which tests to order for diagnosis, and 57.5% perceive difficulty interpreting thyroid function tests. In the treatment dimension, 54.7% lack the necessary expertise to prescribe levothyroxine, while 43.1% are fearful of the adverse effects of treatment, and 69.7% prefer to refer patients to a specialist. Conclusions: Physicians' attitudes impact the prioritization, diagnosis, and treatment of hypothyroidism, leading to lower identification and underestimation of cardiovascular risk.