Evaluation of knowledge levels and attitudes of paediatric residents and specialists on drug allergy

Introduction
Drug allergy is a significant concern in paediatric clinical practice, yet studies suggest that healthcare providers may have limited knowledge regarding drug hypersensitivity reactions, particularly severe subtypes. Evaluating the knowledge and attitudes of paediatric physicians in this area is essential for improving patient safety.

Aim
This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of paediatric residents and specialists regarding drug allergies, specifically in paediatric patients, focusing on both basic drug allergy knowledge and severe reaction recognition.

Material and methods
Conducted at Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, the study included 86 paediatric residents and specialists, who completed a 34-question survey addressing demographic data, general knowledge of drug allergies, response to severe reactions, and alternative drug choices. Data were statistically analysed to evaluate correct response rates and their association with demographic factors.

Results
The average correct response rate was 71.3%, with a higher accuracy in general drug allergy knowledge (77.6%) than in severe reaction recognition (61.0%). Participants demonstrated substantial knowledge about basic drug allergy facts but showed gaps in understanding severe reaction subtypes. Experienced specialists scored higher than residents, particularly in recognizing signs of severe drug reactions and choosing alternative medications.

Conclusions
While paediatric healthcare providers possess foundational knowledge of drug allergies, they exhibit limited familiarity with severe drug reactions. Enhanced training in this area is essential to improve patient safety and optimize clinical care for paediatric patients with potential drug allergies.