Physicians' Attitudes and Practices Regarding Drug Allergy Management: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Drug-induced anaphylaxis is a life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction requiring prompt recognition and management by physicians. Although clinically significant, studies have revealed gaps in physicians' attitudes and practices regarding drug-induced anaphylaxis, potentially affecting patient safety. This study assessed physicians' attitudes and practices related to drug-induced allergies. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 167 physicians across four hospitals in the Qassim region using a validated structured questionnaire. The tool assessed three domains: demographic characteristics, attitudes toward drug allergy management, and clinical practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results A total of 167 physicians were included in the study. Attitudes toward drug allergy management were largely positive, with 91.6% (n=153) recognizing the need for advanced training. However, practice patterns varied, with only 50.3% (n=84) consistently recognizing and managing drug hypersensitivity reactions. The availability and routine use of drug allergy testing was reported by 47.3% (n=79), yet accurate interpretation remained low (31.9%, n=53). Although 65.7% (n=110) routinely obtained allergy histories, proper skin test controls were performed by only 20.1% (n=34). Conclusion While physicians exhibited positive attitudes toward drug allergy management, inconsistencies in clinical practice were evident. Deficiencies in diagnostic awareness, reliance on inaccurate testing methods, and variable adherence to management guidelines underscore the need for targeted educational interventions.