491 Immunotherapy (IT) Training in Canada

Abstract

BackgroundAllergen immunotherapy (IT) is a key component of allergy practice of allergy. Canadian fellows-in-training have expressed concern that they receive inadequate exposure to IT in their training programs.MethodsCanadian fellows-in-training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, identified through the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI), were contacted via email to complete a pilot survey (using survey monkey) to assess their exposure to, experience with, and comfort level in using IT.ResultsSixty-nine Canadian fellows-in-training were invited to complete the survey and 16 (23%) completed at least part of the survey. Fifty-four percent of 13 respondents were in their first year of fellowship. Fifty percent of 12 respondents were internal medicine trained. Eighty-three percent of 12 respondents acknowledged exposure to IT during their training. Eighty percent of 10 respondents had previously written a prescription for IT; 71% and 43% of 7 respondents had written 1 to 5 prescriptions for aeroallergen and stinging venom IT, respectively. Only 50% of 12 respondents felt comfortable prescribing IT. The most common reason cited was lack of experience; however, one respondent wrote that he/she would feel uncomfortable prescribing IT without using the standardized hospital IT form. Sixty-seven percent of 12 respondents had previously administered IT to a patient. Sixteen percent of 12 respondents felt uncomfortable administering IT due to lack of experience. Fifty percent of 12 respondents had treated a patient having an allergic reaction to IT and 100% of these same respondents felt "somewhat comfortable" to "very comfortable" in responding to an allergic reaction to IT. Seventy-five percent of 12 respondents agreed that a formal clinical rotation in IT would be helpful.ConclusionsThe results of this pilot survey demonstrate that Canadian fellows-in-training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology are not receiving adequate exposure and training in IT. Future studies will help to explore this subject in more detail.