Conhecimento e conduta dos profissionais médicos frente ao sintoma de zumbido

Abstract

Introduction: The buzz maybe defined as a conscious perception of a sound that originates in the head, without the presence of a external generating source (SAMELLI, 2004). It is a frequent symptom in clinic practice, and presents itself as a single symptom or together with other otological systemic disorders (SHULMAM et al., 1995). The sensation the buzz provoques may be very diversified, going from a simple buzz perceived only in silent environments to an intense sound, impairing the individual for daily life activities (SANCHEZ et al., 1997). According to Sanchez (2014), for years professionals attending to a person with buzz, majoritarily reported it was not possible to do anything and the person should learn to live with the symptom. Objective: To investigate the knowledge and conduct of professionals towards the buzz symptom. Method: Analytical, descriptive, observational, transversal research, on field of qualitative and quantitative approach. The sample was constituted of 31 medical professionals from several specialities, with ages between 23 and 42 years, 32 years old in average. There were 17 female and 14 male professionals, contacted by electronic media, by e-mail and social networks. An instrument of data collection was used in order to reach the objectives of this study. Results: The majority of the professionals received people with complaint of 35% received them often and 39% received them some times. Among the 31 (100%), 58% used to investigate the cause and 93% sent them to an otolaryngologist. More than half of them were not interested on the subject and 64% did not seek information on the symptom. Among the participants, 61% reported awareness of treatment options, 64% believed that tinnitus is a difficult symptom to be treated, but that in some cases a good prognosis can be achieved. Most of the participants answered that they did not prescribe medication for the treatment. Conclusion: It is possible to investigate the knowledge and proceeding of medical professionals regarding the tinnitus symptom. They believe it is a difficult symptom to be treated, although a good prognosis can eventually lead to a cure. In a certain way, they are not interested in the subject, neither they seek information on it, but they refer to other professionals, they investigate the symptom when they attend individuals with such complaint, they don't make the diagnosis, however, they know and they offer guidance on different treatment scenarios.