title: Teaching management of contrast reactions: does it work and how often do we need to refresh?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Knowledge of the management of acute contrast reactions is lacking among radiologists. Training in the management of acute contrast reactions occurs at the investigators' institution and others, but the durability of that training and the need for refresher training have not been assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective assessment of changes in trainees' knowledge and confidence following a required educational course concerning reactions to contrast material was conducted. Assessments were performed prior to and immediately following the course and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after the course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Trainees' knowledge significantly improved following the course and remained improved for 6 months (P < .0001). By 9 months, knowledge was no longer improved over baseline (P = .0644). Trainees' confidence also improved following the course and remained improved throughout follow-up (P = .0356 at 9 months). At 6 months, however, confidence had significantly declined relative to levels immediately after the course (P = .0241). Trainees' knowledge was not dependent on postgraduate year (PGY), but PGY-2 residents were significantly less confident in their ability to manage a contrast reaction than PGY-5 and PGY-6 trainees. Trainees who managed contrast reactions during the follow-up period were more confident in their abilities than trainees who did not (P = .0097).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest the need for biannual refresher training in the management of acute contrast reactions to maintain trainees' knowledge and confidence.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Health System, Department of Radiology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. trout.andrew@gmail.com
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Trout
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Cohan
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Shokoufeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khalatbari
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003479:Curriculum; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008824:Michigan; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media