Journals / Pediatric Practice and Research / 2026 / Volume: 14 Issue: 1

Evaluation of Knowledge Levels on Asthma Medications among Pediatric Specialists and Residents

Pediatri Uzman ve Asistanlarının Astım İlaçları Hakkındaki Bilgi Düzeyinin Değerlendirilmesi

Halil Alkaya(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, İSTANBUL ÜMRANİYE HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF CHILD HEALTH AND DISEASES, PEDIATRIC IMMUNOLOGY AND ALLERGIC DISEASES)0009-0007-7256-3960
Ugur Altas(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, İSTANBUL ÜMRANİYE HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF CHILD HEALTH AND DISEASES, PEDIATRIC IMMUNOLOGY AND ALLERGIC DISEASES)0000-0001-5871-2033
Seda Çevik(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, İSTANBUL ÜMRANİYE HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF CHILD HEALTH AND DISEASES, PEDIATRIC IMMUNOLOGY AND ALLERGIC DISEASES)0000-0002-1124-4137
Gamze Ünal(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, İSTANBUL ÜMRANİYE HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF CHILD HEALTH AND DISEASES)0009-0008-8433-9373
Tuğba Altıntaş(USKUDAR UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FACILITIES MANAGEMENT)0000-0002-4779-8668
Mehmet Yaşar Özkars(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, İSTANBUL ÜMRANİYE HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF CHILD HEALTH AND DISEASES, PEDIATRIC IMMUNOLOGY AND ALLERGIC DISEASES)0000-0003-1290-8318
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-02-20
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

While overall scores were similar, differences emerged: all specialists recognized spacer efficacy (100% vs. 76.3%, p=0.039), whereas residents more often identified omalizumab for allergic asthma (89.5% vs. 53.3%, p=0.003) and budesonide/fluticasone as first-line therapy (94.7% vs. 73.3%, p=0.027).

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Background/Objectives: Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease in childhood, with a rising prevalence both worldwide and in Türkiye.
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Key Findings & Data:Around 70–80% of pediatric asthma cases are allergic.
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Conclusion & Impact:While overall scores were similar, differences emerged: all specialists recognized spacer efficacy (100% vs. 76.3%, p=0.039), whereas residents more often identified omalizumab for allergic asthma (89.5% vs. 53.3%, p=0.003) and budesonide/fluticasone as first-line therapy (94.7% vs. 73.3%, p=0.027).
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2025 Verileri
⚙️Variables:asthma · pediatrics · knowledge level

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease in childhood, with a rising prevalence both worldwide and in Türkiye. Around 70–80% of pediatric asthma cases are allergic. Despite the presence of established guidelines, knowledge gaps and practice inconsistencies remain. This study aimed to compare the knowledge levels of pediatric specialists and residents regarding asthma treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in February–March 2025 at the University of Health Sciences Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital. Pediatric specialists and residents completed a 31-item questionnaire based on the 2024 GINA guidelines, including 25 questions on asthma management. Each correct answer was scored as 4 points. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22 with Chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests for categorical and independent t test/Mann–Whitney U for continuous variables. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. Ethical approval was obtained (26.12.2024; no. 470). Results: A total of 53 physicians participated (15 specialists, 38 residents). Specialists had longer experience (≥7 years: 73.3%), whereas most residents had 1–3 years (84.2%). Asthma training was reported more frequently among specialists (86.7% vs. 44.7%). While overall scores were similar, differences emerged: all specialists recognized spacer efficacy (100% vs. 76.3%, p=0.039), whereas residents more often identified omalizumab for allergic asthma (89.5% vs. 53.3%, p=0.003) and budesonide/fluticasone as first-line therapy (94.7% vs. 73.3%, p=0.027). Conclusions: Specialists showed stronger knowledge of inhaler devices, whereas residents were more updated on biologics and pharmacotherapy. Tailored educational strategies may enhance standardized, evidence-based pediatric asthma care.

Özet

Amaç: Astım, çocukluk çağının en sık görülen kronik solunum yolu hastalığı olup, hem dünyada hem de Türkiye’de prevalansı artmaya devam etmektedir. Çocukluk çağı olgularının yaklaşık %70–80’i alerjik kökenlidir. Ulusal ve uluslararası kılavuzlara rağmen bilgi eksiklikleri ve uygulama farklılıkları sürmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, pediatri uzmanları ile asistanlarının astım tedavisine yönelik bilgi düzeylerini karşılaştırmaktır. Yöntemler: Bu kesitsel çalışma, Şubat–Mart 2025 döneminde Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Ümraniye Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi’nde yürütülmüştür. Pediatri uzmanı ve asistanlarından oluşan katılımcılar, GINA 2024 kılavuzuna dayalı 31 soruluk bir anketi yanıtlamıştır. Anketin 25 sorusu astım tedavisi bilgisini değerlendirmiş, her doğru yanıt 4 puan üzerinden hesaplanmıştır. Veriler SPSS 22 ile analiz edilmiş; kategorik değişkenlerde Ki-kare/Fisher’s Exact, sürekli değişkenlerde bağımsız t testi veya Mann–Whitney U testi kullanılmıştır. p<0,05 anlamlı kabul edilmiştir. Bulgular: Toplam 53 hekim (15 uzman, 38 asistan) çalışmaya dahil edilmiştir. Uzmanların %73,3’ü ≥7 yıl deneyime sahipken, asistanların %84,2’si 1–3 yıl çalışmaktaydı. Astım tedavisi eğitimi alma oranı uzmanlarda %86,7, asistanlarda %44,7 idi. Genel puanlar benzer bulunmuş ancak bazı farklılıklar vardı: tüm uzmanlar spacer etkinliğini bilirken (100% vs. 76,3%, p=0,039), asistanlar omalizumab kullanımını (89,5% vs. 53,3%, p=0,003) ve budesonid/flutikazonu birinci basamak tedavi olarak daha yüksek oranda bildirmiştir (94,7% vs. 73,3%, p=0,027). Sonuçlar: Uzmanlar inhaler cihazlar konusunda daha yetkin görünürken, asistanlar biyolojik tedaviler ve farmakoterapi konusunda daha güncel bilgiye sahiptir. Hedefe yönelik eğitim stratejileri, çocukluk çağı astımının daha standart ve kanıta dayalı yönetimine katkı sağlayabilir.

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Cite This Article

Alkaya, H., Altas, U., Çevik, S., Ünal, G., Altıntaş, T., Özkars, M. Y. (2026). Evaluation of Knowledge Levels on Asthma Medications among Pediatric Specialists and Residents. Pediatric Practice and Research, Volume: 14 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.21765/pprjournal.1771373

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