A Comprehensive Survey of Chronic Cough Management Among Healthcare Professionals in Southern Italy

<bold>Background:</bold> Chronic cough (CC) is common and challenging to diagnose and manage, with a notable data gap on healthcare approaches. This study surveys specialists in Southern Italy to understand their perspectives and practices on CC. <bold>Methods:</bold> The survey involved 102 healthcare professionals in Southern Italy, including 23 General Practictioners (GPs), 30 Pulmonologists, 25 Allergologists, and 24 Otholaryngologists (ENTs), focusing on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices in CC management, covering diagnostics, treatment preferences, and guideline adherence. <bold>Results:</bold> The report outlines some notable differences among specialists regarding their approach to chronic cough. In particular, ENTs and Pulmonologists showed a tendency to define chronic cough as persisting for longer durations compared to Allergists and GPs. Moreover, pulmonologists have a higher inclination to recommend chest X-rays for patients with chronic cough, which aligns with their specialty's focus on respiratory diseases. Concerning primary cause of CC, Allergists and Pulmonologists frequently consider asthma, GPs focus on Gastro-Esophageal Reflux, and ENTs highlight Upper Airways Cough Syndrome. Finally, Pulmonologists show the highest awareness of all listed cough conditions, likely due to the relevance to their field of specialization. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> The study indicates a need for better education and standard protocols among Southern Italy's healthcare professionals for CC management, emphasizing multidisciplinary collaboration and tailored approaches to improve CC patient outcomes and inform future management strategies.