United States Air Force Health Care Provider Practices: Skin Testing for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of global concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 20 million active tuberculosis cases infect another 50 to 100 million people each year. Military medical units have traditionally focused on the mastery of casualty care. Data shows traumatic injuries represented a mere fraction of the medical care provided during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. In addition, humanitarian and peace-keeping missions have become an important part of recent military missions. Primary care and treatment of infectious diseases, a major focus of nurse practitioner (NP) practice, are becoming the challenges of today's deployments. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to describe Air Force health care provider's knowledge of TB skin testing principles and investigate relationships between demographic variables and that knowledge. Respondents were a convenience sample of 172 Air Force health care providers at a mid-level medical treatment facility including: medical doctors (MD), doctors of osteopathy (DO), physician assistants (PA), nurse practitioners (NP) and independent duty medical technicians (IDMT). The study questionnaire consisted of ten demographic data questions and eight multiple choice questions concerning current guidelines for tuberculosis skin testing. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methodology. Results were reported in an effort to describe the current demographics, state of knowledge and relationships between the two in a sample Air Force health care providers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 03, 1997
- Accession Number
- AD1011649
Entities
People
- Nancy J. Heisterman
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences