# Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pharmacists on hierarchical management of COPD: a cross-sectional study in Jiangsu Province

## TL;DR

This study examines pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in COPD management in Jiangsu Province, identifying factors that influence their performance.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into pharmacists' roles in COPD hierarchical management and identifies training needs based on demographic and institutional factors.

## Key findings

- Pharmacists showed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes toward COPD management.
- Knowledge scores correlated with gender, education, and hospital level.
- Tailored training is needed to address disparities in COPD care practices.

## Abstract

This study assessed pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hierarchical management of COPD patients, examining influencing factors to inform standardization.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2022 to March 2023 using convenience sampling, yielding 206 valid responses via WeChat-distributed questionnaires. Data analysis employed t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression.

Pharmacists’ mean scores were: knowledge (6.13 ± 1.96), attitudes (27.56 ± 3.37), and practices (21.02 ± 6.06). Regression analysis highlighted correlations between knowledge scores and gender, education, and hospital level (p < 0.05); attitudes and academic qualifications (p < 0.05); practices and hospital level (p < 0.05).

Pharmacists demonstrated moderate knowledge, positive attitudes, and average practices in COPD management. Tailored training programs addressing educational and institutional disparities are essential to enhance their capacity in hierarchical COPD care.