Assessment of anesthesia residents' awareness and knowledge levels regarding malignant hyperthermia in relation to their residency

Year 2026, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 330 - 335, 27.03.2026

Ömer Doymuş , Pelin Aydın

https://izlik.org/JA29ZT98GE

Abstract

Aims: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an uncommon but life-threatening anesthetic emergency that necessitates prompt diagnosis and swift care. It is imperative for patient safety that anesthesia assistants, identify both the early and late manifestations of MH. This study sought to assess the knowledge and awareness of anesthesiology assistants concerning MH.
Methods: This cross-sectional study encompassed 215 anesthesia residents. The knowledge level of MH was evaluated by a total knowledge score derived from replies to questions 6–24 of the questionnaire. The knowledge level was categorized as low, moderate, and high.
Results: The participants' average knowledge score was 12.50±3.19, with 19.1% exhibiting low knowledge, 53.0% demonstrating medium knowledge, and 27.9% possessing high knowledge. Knowledge scores shown a substantial increase with the prolongation of residence length (Kruskal–Wallis H=26.34, p<0.001). A notable positive association exists between residency duration and knowledge score (Spearman ρ=0.32, p<0.001). In linear regression analysis, while the time of residency significantly predicted the knowledge score, the explained variance was constrained (R²=0.114). No substantial correlation was identified between the degree of knowledge and the habitual implementation of temperature monitoring (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Improving patient safety in MH management will depend on systematic, continuous, and institutionally supported training programs rather than isolated knowledge acquisition. Therefore, recommendations about structured or simulationbased training should be seen as guides for future research rather than definitive conclusions.

Keywords

Malignant hyperthermia , anesthesia , anesthesia assistants

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