Introduction:

Rheumatic diseases are conceptualized as a group of conditions that generate variable degrees of functional disability and decreased perception of health-related quality of life. Its early diagnosis is vital to minimize the risk of complications and joint deformities.

Objective:

To identify the level of knowledge about the basic elements of the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases in doctors of the first level of health care.

Methods:

A basic, non-experimental, descriptive and cross-sectional investigation was carried out. The universe consisted of 428 general practitioners who work in the first level of health care in zone 3 in Ecuador. The sample was made up of 204 professionals. An information collection model was applied that allowed the identification of general characteristics and level of knowledge about basic elements of the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases.

Results:

Average age of 28.39 years, predominance of female doctors (63.24 %), between 4 and 6 years of graduation (35.78 %) and having received training on the basic elements of diagnosis of rheumatic diseases (98.04 %). The predominant level of knowledge on this topic was low (89.70 %).

Conclusions:

The level of knowledge about basic elements of the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases in doctors of the first level of health care is low.

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