Introduction:

anemia is a worldwide public health problem. There are few studies that explore the knowledge that primary care physicians have about the diagnostic process in children and adolescents with anemia.

Objective:

to determine the level of clinical aptitude that the first-contact physician has regarding the diagnostic process of the pediatric patient in whom anemia is suspected.

Material and methods:

cross-sectional study. A seven-question questionnaire (developed by Delphi consensus) was applied to evaluate theoretical and practical concepts about the diagnostic process when anemia is suspected. The questionnaire was distributed electronically to general practitioners, family doctors, and pediatricians in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.

Results:

154 doctors were included, 68 were pediatricians (44.2%), 51 family doctors (33.1%) and 35 general practitioners (22.7%). Of the total, 53.9% (n = 83) worked in a public institution. The median of correct answers was 5 (IQR 4-6). The highest proportion of correct answers was in anemia etiology (62.3%), followed by laboratory studies (48.1%), and initial clinical approach (14.9%). Compared to the other two groups, pediatricians obtained a higher percentage of correct answers.

Conclusions:

first-contact physicians have deficiencies in their clinical aptitude for the approach to pediatric patients with suspected anemia.