A Simple Allergist-Led Intervention Improves Resident Training in Anaphylaxis

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Allergy and Immunology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Physicians frequently underrecognize and undertreat anaphylaxis, highlighting a critical need for improved diagnostic and management skills.
• Current gaps in physician knowledge and competency regarding evidence-based anaphylaxis diagnosis and management (ADAM) necessitate effective educational interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate an educational program aimed at enhancing ADAM knowledge and competency among residents in pediatrics, internal medicine, and emergency medicine.
• To assess the short-term and long-term impact of the educational intervention on resident knowledge, confidence, and clinical experience with anaphylaxis management.

Main Methods:

• An educational intervention involving a 45-minute allergist-led presentation and epinephrine autoinjector practice was delivered to residents.
• Knowledge and confidence were assessed using pretest, posttest, and a 12-week follow-up test, alongside questionnaires on clinical experience.

Main Results:

• Mean test scores significantly improved from pretest (7.31) to posttest (8.79) and follow-up (8.17) (P < 0.001).
• Resident confidence in diagnosing and managing anaphylaxis increased significantly from baseline to follow-up (P < 0.001).
• Self-reported clinical experience with ADAM and autoinjector use remained unchanged post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• Face-to-face, allergist-led education effectively enhances residents' short-term knowledge and perceived confidence in anaphylaxis diagnosis and management.
• The observed decline in knowledge retention suggests that limited clinical experience and reinforcement opportunities impede sustained competency in ADAM.