Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Toward Evaluation of Acute Heart Failure Among Emergency Medicine Residents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) poses significant challenges in clinical practice due to its varied clinical presentations and complex management strategies. Adequate confidence levels among medical residents in diagnosing and managing AHF are crucial for timely and effective patient care.

Study aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess medical residents' knowledge, attitude, and perception levels in diagnosing and managing AHF and explore factors influencing their confidence levels.

Methodology: A total of 52 medical residents from various specialties participated in the study. Based on different clinical parameters, participants completed a questionnaire assessing their confidence levels in diagnosing AHF. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize confidence levels, while chi-square tests explored associations between demographic/clinical factors and confidence levels.

Results: The majority of residents exhibited high confidence levels in diagnosing heart failure (HF) based on history and physical examination findings alone (22 (42.3%) and 16 (30.8%), respectively). However, confidence levels were lower when relying solely on laboratory tests and imaging modalities for diagnosis (17 (32.7%) and 18 (34.6%), respectively). Factors such as symptoms (e.g., dizziness) and availability of ultrasound equipment were associated with higher confidence levels (p < 0.05). However, demographic factors such as age, gender, and residency year did not significantly influence confidence levels (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Our study highlights variations in confidence levels among medical residents in diagnosing and managing AHF. While clinical assessment remains paramount, targeted educational interventions focusing on interpreting diagnostic tests and imaging findings are warranted to enhance residents' confidence levels and improve patient care.