Awareness of general practitioners toward head and neck cancers and referral criteria in the Qassim region

Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge regarding head and neck cancers among health care providers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia, and evaluate their familiarity with referral criteria to ensure timely specialist care. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a 6-month period in primary care centers and hospitals under the Qassim Directorate. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from 85 physicians. Results: Among the 85 participants, 40 demonstrated high knowledge, while 45 showed low knowledge. Nationality (p-value = 0.002) and years in general practice (p-value = 0.020) were significantly associated with knowledge levels. Referral accuracy was high among 75 participants, with sex being the only significant predictor (p-value = 0.026), as all low-accuracy participants were male. Conclusion: Findings emphasize the need for structured educational interventions, particularly in continuous medical education and referral training. Future research should explore additional factors influencing knowledge and decision-making to improve early diagnosis and patient outcomes.