Evaluation of Knowledge of Family Physicians on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Anaphylaxis and Adrenaline Auto-injector Use in Turkiye

Abstract

Objective: Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction characterized by sudden symptoms affecting different organ systems, and healthcare professionals must recognize and urgently treat anaphylaxis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of family physicians in Turkiye about the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis, use of adrenaline auto-injector, and factors affecting these attitudes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey study. An online questionnaire was administered to family physicians to evaluate their knowledge levels regarding the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis and the use of AAI. Results: The study was completed with 207 participants, mean age was 33.8 +/- 8.5 years and mean professional experience was 8.5 +/- 8.3 years. 93.7% of the participants stated that the first-line treatment of anaphylaxis was adrenaline, 85.5% the correct route of adrenaline administration was intramuscular, 79.2% the right place of adrenaline administration, 75.4% the dose of adrenaline in children, 61.8% of them answered the adrenaline dose correctly in adults. 51.2% of the participants stated that they knew about the use of AAI, and 24.6% had received training on this subject. The average number of professional years of participants who knew that the first-line treatment was adrenaline, the correct route and place of administration of adrenaline, and knew how to use auto-injectors were statistically significantly lower (p=0.031, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.041, respectively). Family physicians who received post-graduation training on anaphylaxis; the rate of knowing that the first-line treatment of anaphylaxis was adrenaline, the correct route and place of administration of adrenaline, and the rate of knowing the use of auto-injectors were Conclusion: The most significant outcome of our study is family physicians\" knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis is higher when their training at medical faculty and specialist training is more recent and when they undergo post-graduation training. With post-graduation training programs, family physicians can become more competent in life-threatening anaphylaxis. However, physicians\" knowledge of adrenaline auto-injector therapy is insufficient. Family physicians should be trained on the use of this essential and life-saving drug for those at risk of anaphylaxis.