Assessing transfusion medicine knowledge level and it's influencing factors among house officers in Kelantan

Transfusion medicine is critical for patient care, yet its knowledge among house officers remains under-researched. Adequate training and confidence in prescribing blood products and managing acute transfusion reactions are essential for improving patient outcomes.

This study aims to assess the level of transfusion medicine knowledge among house officers and explore influencing factors such as demographic characteristics and confidence in clinical practice.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2020 to May 2021 at both a teaching hospital and a tertiary hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Validated assisted self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The questionnaire was divided into three sections: demographic characteristics, transfusion medicine knowledge, and confidence levels. A total of 393 house officers participated in the study.

Descriptive statistics, including mean and percentages, were used to summarize the data. Logistic regression was employed to determine the association between continuous medical education (CME) and transfusion medicine knowledge, calculating odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Of the 393 house officers surveyed, 61.6% were female, with an average service duration of 12.52 months. Most (60.3%) had attended CME, and 57.3% had donated blood. Only 28.5% demonstrated good knowledge in transfusion medicine, with the highest proficiency in understanding transfusion risks (45.3%). House officers who attended three or more hours of cumulative CME were significantly more likely to possess good transfusion medicine knowledge (adjusted OR: 17.31; 95% CI, 6.35-47.19; P 0.001).

There is a notable deficit in transfusion medicine knowledge among house officers. Intensive CME throughout housemanship can effectively address these knowledge gaps, enhancing medical expertise and patient care.