Results of an allergy educational needs questionnaire for primary care

Abstract

It is well recognized that knowledge of allergic conditions is suboptimal in primary care. The Primary Care Interest Group of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology undertook an educational needs survey to better understand what they were and how best to meet them, in the primary care environment. An electronic questionnaire was devised and distributed as widely as possible. A total of 2226 people from 63 countries opened the e-questionnaire of which 692 provided evaluable responses. In total, 81% were medical doctors with 299 possessing additional qualifications. Self-declared gaps in knowledge were expressed for most manifestations of allergy with a correspondingly high self-expressed educational need. The preferred learning modalities were online guidelines (69.6%) and courses (68.8%) followed closely by workshops (68%), structured online modules (63.9%) and small local working groups (59.75%). Podcasts and webinars scored poorly with only 25% expressing these as preferred learning modes although there was an age gradient. The preferred electronic platform was the personal computer (82.6%). A better understanding of the needs of primary care should help guide the design of educational initiatives to meet those needs.

Challenges in the implementation of the EAACI AIT guidelines: A situational analysis of current provision of allergen immunotherapy

“…Our survey and other published data 12 suggest that PCPs are not trained to adequately manage allergy patients. Allergy hardly features in most undergraduate medical curricula.…”

“…8 Patients seek assistance from various sources, often involving considerable expense and inappropriate treatment. [9][10][11] Primary care professionals (hereafter referred to as PCPs), these including general practitioners, nurses and paediatricians, in some countries, 12 are poorly equipped to deal with the management of allergy, particularly the more complex issues associated with AIT, due to deficiencies in undergraduate and postgraduate training. 13 Previous surveys have revealed a low level of PCPs' self-estimated knowledge or confidence in delivering AIT.…”

“…13 Previous surveys have revealed a low level of PCPs' self-estimated knowledge or confidence in delivering AIT. 12 To date, there is no care system which delivers comprehensive allergy care in a systematic fashion. 14 In most cases, the management of allergy comprises allergen avoidance 15 and symptom alleviation by pharmacotherapy.…”

Um Relato De Caso Sobre Reações a Múltiplos Antibióticos - O Perigo Do Rótulo Indevido

“…13 Corroborando com tal informação, apenas 38,5% dos médicos de atenção primária sentem-se competentes no diagnóstico das DHR e 74% relatam ter necessidade de maior estudo no tema. 19 Tal dado é alarmante, visto que a maioria dos pacientes com reações a medicamentos de qualquer natureza terão seu primeiro atendimento em postos de saúde, unidades de pronto atendimento e pronto-socorro, e correm o risco de não terem o diagnóstico, tratamento e encaminhamento adequado que as DHR exigem.…”

A patient-centric analysis to identify key influences in allergic rhinitis management

“…A key challenge relates to the fact that diagnosis of AR can be complicated 20 – 22 and many GPs have expressed great educational need with regards to allergy management. 23 With a limited supply per capita of allergists/immunologists (and availability of sub-lingual immunotherapy in primary care), the role of the GP in treating allergy has never been more important and upskilling our HCPs may be the solution to minimising AR-related impact on QOL in the community. 21 , 24 …”