Design and Validation of a Survey Questionnaire for the Assessment of Physician Transfusion Medicine Knowledge

Abstract

The clinical appropriateness of blood transfusion rests with physicians having the correct knowledge when making decisions concerning the selection and transfusion of blood and blood components. Transfusion medicine knowledge (TMK) is typically acquired during medical school, as on-the-job training during residency or fellowship, and through continuing education (e.g., online, seminars, workshops) in practice. To obtain a baseline of TMK in physicians at Augusta University Medical Center (AUMC) (formerly Georgia Regents University Medical Center), a multiple-choice survey questionnaire was designed and validated using input from individuals with expertise in the field of transfusion medicine. The survey was then deployed to physicians at AUMC. Analysis of survey response data showed that there were significant knowledge gaps among physicians that varied among specialty groups as well as with the number of formal education hours that physicians received as part of their medical training and in practice. The purpose of this research study was to establish the baseline TMK level of physicians at AUMC. ABBREVIATIONS: TMK - Transfusion Medicine Knowledge, AUMC - Augusta University Medical Center -, ARC - American Red Cross, CMS – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CFR - Code of Federal Regulations, ASCP - American Society for Clinical Pathology, BEST - Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion, TJC - The Joint Commission, PBM - Patient Blood Management