The Role the Family Physician in Refuting Misconceptions in Patients with Tuberculosis (Review)

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Despite progress in diagnosis and treatment, TB remains a global problem. Approximately 27,000 new cases are registered in Ukraine annually. Patients’ misconceptions about the disease contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Family physicians, pulmonologists, and phthisiologists face compliance issues, as patients often misunderstand the mechanisms of infection and prevention. Objective — to investigate the problem of patients’ misconceptions about tuberculosis and possibilities for improving compliance. Both literature data and interview results with patients were used. Materials and methods. A systematic review of the literature from 2014 to 2024 was conducted using the PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus and WHO library databases. Inclusion criteria included original research articles, reviews and official guidelines that discussed the role of family physicians in addressing misconceptions about TB. Results and discussion. Family physicians play a key role in preventive efforts and overcoming misconceptions that lead to fear and social avoidance. Misconceptions about TB transmission and treatment have a significant impact on patients’ health. Patient education and counselling, the use of digital technologies, and community engagement are effective strategies to improve compliance and reduce stigma. Conclusions. Misconceptions about tuberculosis significantly impede disease control, lead to delays in diagnosis, non-adherence to treatment and continued infection transmission in society. Family physicians play a crucial role in educating patients and dispelling myths about tuberculosis, which can significantly improve treatment outcomes.