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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Feb;80(2):525-533.
doi: 10.1111/all.16270. Epub 2024 Aug 7.

Impact of a drug allergy education course for non-specialists: Findings from ADAPT-A randomized crossover trial

Michaela Lucas  1   2   3   4 , Hugo W F Mak  5 , Jasmine T Y Lee  5 , Rishabh Kulkarni  1   2 , Sophia S C Chan  6 , Philip H Li  5   7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Impact of a drug allergy education course for non-specialists: Findings from ADAPT-A randomized crossover trial

Michaela Lucas et al. Allergy. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Background: The consequences of drug allergy remain a global health concern. Drug allergy is often a neglected topic and many non-specialists lack sufficient knowledge or confidence in evaluating or managing this common condition. Evidence-based interventions to better equip non-specialists to tackle drug allergy are needed. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive educational course on drug allergy knowledge and practice of non-specialists.

Methods: A randomized crossover trial (NCT06399601) was conducted among practicing physicians and nurses participating in an intensive drug allergy course-Advances in Drug Allergy & Penicillin Testing (ADAPT). Participants' baseline knowledge and self-reported practices were assessed with standardized questionnaires (scored from 0 to 100, with "satisfactory" defined as ≥60/100). Participants were randomized into two cohorts and attended ADAPT at different time points. Serial responses before and after the course were compared within and between cohorts.

Results: Seventy participants (25 physicians, 45 nurses) randomized into two groups completed the course. Baseline drug allergy knowledge (58.0 ± 19.9) and self-reported practice (36.9 ± 24.3) were unsatisfactory among non-specialists, with significantly lower scores from nurses than physicians in both domains (knowledge: 49.0 ± 17.4 vs. 74.0 ± 12.7; practice: 32.1 ± 21.3 vs. 53.3 ± 23.1; all p < 0.001). Following completion of ADAPT, participants demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge (58.0 ± 19.9 vs. 77.7 ± 15.9, p < 0.001) and self-reported practice (36.9 ± 24.3 vs. 71.0 ± 20.2, p < 0.001). All participants (100%) and 99% of participants agreed that the course improved their clinical knowledge and practice, respectively.

Conclusions: ADAPT, an intensive drug allergy educational course was effective in improving drug allergy knowledge and practice for non-specialists. Further longitudinal studies are required to evaluate long-term impact.

Keywords: clinical trial; drug allergy; education; multidisciplinary; non‐allergist.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest in relation to this work.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Study design and outcomes of ADAPT.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Box‐and‐whisker plots of baseline versus post‐course practice survey and knowledge quiz scores (n = 70).
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Participant evaluation of the ADAPT course (n = 70).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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