Primary care doctors' attitude towards drug allergy in Portugal: a questionnaire

Bárbara Kong Cardoso barbarakc@gmail.com¹, Laurinda Silva², Ana Marta Magalhães³, Sofia Martins Farinha¹, Teresa Antunes³, Cristina Mourato², Elza Tomaz¹, Filipe Inácio¹

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Doi
10.23822/EurAnnACI.1764-1489.216

Summary
Background. The aim of the study was to learn about perception of drug allergy by general practitioners (GP) from continental Portugal, identify difficulties and educational needs for its management. Methods. A total of 372 answers were obtained. A questionnaire was addressed to GPs. Results. The most commonly identified drugs were antibiotics for 65.3% of the GPs and skin was the most commonly affected organ for 65.8%. Drug allergy was considered as very important in clinical practice by 73.7%, but difficulties in recognizing it were stated by 70.2%. Further education in this field wouldbe welcome by 97.8% of the doctors. The collaboration of Immunoallergology centers was considered non satisfactory by 39.8% of GPs and 45.7% of them stated that two-thirds of the suspected reactions were not investigated. Conclusions. These points deserve consideration in future health educational and organizational strategies.

Key words
Drug hypersensitivity; drug allergy; primary health care; medical education; questionnaires.

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