This survey collected responses from 500 doctors across multiple specialties in India regarding their experiences treating pulmonary diseases. The survey found that 53% of doctors had previously prescribed empirical anti-tuberculosis treatment without a confirmed diagnosis. While 67% of doctors felt invasive testing was needed before starting ATT, only 43% believed there were trained surgeons available to perform such procedures. Most doctors agreed that increased training and adoption of new technologies were needed to better manage pulmonary diseases.

1. Case Study Based Survey

2. Survey
500 Doctors (Multiple Specialty)
Online
Doctors Republic
National Representation
Strategic Focus
Presenting a case to assess the
general perception, understand the
methodology of treating a
disease, importance of invasive
testing and its availability.

3. Regional Representation
Total : 500 Doctors (Multiple Specialty)

4. Why Multiple Specialty of Doctors ?
Anesthetist
Pediatrician
Cardiac Surgeon
Pulmonologist
Family Physician
Surgeon
 Holistic View from experience of multiple specialty
doctors.
 Close quarters with Patients with pulmonary diseases.
 Professionally developed identity on Pulmonary Disease
Management & Advice.

5. Case Study
 A 48-years old non-smoker male
patient presented with cough and
breathlessness since 6 weeks. His
baseline test were normal. He didn't
respond to a week course of
antibiotics. He was thereafter put on
Empirical Anti-tubercular Therapy.
 Even after 3 months of ATT, with
no or little improvement in his
condition, he developed Pleural
Effusion.

8. A Diagnostic Thoracoscopy was
planned.
Biopsy revealed Metastatic
Adenocarcinoma of lung.
He was thereafter put on
chemotherapy.

10. Questionnaire

11. Have you ever come across
such a case ?
100%
80%
60%
40% 76%
20%
24%
0%
'No 'Yes
Only 24% of the Doctors have
ever come across such a case.

12. Have you ever given empirical ATT (anti-
tubercular treatment) without
histological/microbiological evidence ?
93%
83%
73%
63%
53%
43%
'No 'Yes
53% of the Doctors has given
empirical ATT without
histological/microbiological evidence.

14. Do you feel the need for early
invasive testing before
starting ATT ?
70%
60%
50%
40%
30% 67%
20%
33%
10%
0%
'No 'Yes
67% of the Doctors prefer early
invasive testing before starting ATT.

16. Is the high percentage of advanced lung
cancer in our country can be attributed
to the use of empirical ATT use ?
54%
52%
50%
48% 53%
46%
44% 47%
42%
'No 'Yes
Only 53% not feel that high
percentage of advanced lung cancer
is attributed to use of ATT in patients.

17. Is it cost effective to use invasive testing
for tuberculosis in a region like our which
is almost endemic for tuberculosis ?
70%
60%
50%
40%
30% 67%
20%
33%
10%
0%
'No 'Yes
Over 67% of the Doctors feel invasive
testing is not cost effective in our country as
TB is in endemic proportions.

18. Do you have a competent surgeon
around you who is capable to do such
advanced procedure like this ?
60%
50%
40%
30% 57%
20% 43%
10%
0%
'No 'Yes
Only 43% of the Doctors feel there is a
trained and competent surgeon in their vicinity.

20. Are you willing to subject your patient to
invasive testing, probably requiring general
anesthesia for confirming tuberculosis ?
60%
50%
40%
30% 57%
20% 43%
10%
0%
'No 'Yes
Only 57% of the Doctors are willing to
subject patient invasive testing for
confirming TB.

21. SUMMARY
53% of the Doctors has given empirical ATT without
histological/microbiological evidence.
Over 80% of the Doctors feel early diagnostic thoracoscopy
can make a difference in pulmonary cases.
Over 67% of the Doctors feel invasive testing is not cost
effective in our country as TB is in endemic proportions.
Only 43% of the Doctors feel there are trained and competent
surgeons in their vicinity.
100% of the Doctors believe that empirical ATT in primary
reason of emergence of MDR.
Doctors believe & stand United ( 100%) in the belief that more scientific
workshops, conferences, newer adoption of scientific technology is required to
strengthen the chest physician and thoracic surgeon community.

22. THANKS !!
The Survey findings & data collected are copyright of Doctors Republic & Pneumocon 2012. It
should not be reproduced or used without permission. For any questions , please send an email
to customerservice@doctorsrepublic.com