Training healthcare professionals (HCP) in self-administration of intravenous medication (SA-IVM): Alpha-1-Antitrypsin (AAT) in Portugal

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Self-administration of AAT (SA-AAT), although uncommon, is a reality in Europe. It's important that HCP have the necessary skills to educate and train patients who are candidates. This study aims to discover the perceptions of AAT deficiency (AATD) experts in relation to SA-AAT. <bold>Methods:</bold> It's an exploratory study of HCP experts in AATD in Portugal, carried out on 2/10/2023 using a self-completion questionnaire. <bold>Results:</bold> The sample includes 67% nurses (n=20), 30% (n=9) physicians and 3% (n=1) pharmacists, with a experience of 17.7±9.5 years. 73% (n=22) had never training in SA-IVM. 53% (n=16) had no SA-IVM patients in their hospitals, 20% (n=6) didn't know and 27% (n=8) did, of these 12.5% (n=1) don't have a protocol and 75% (n=6) don't know if it exists. 60% (n=18) consider SA-AAT possible in their hospital, 7% (n=2) don't and 33% (n=10) maybe. Individuals consider training in SA-AAT: not very important 3% (n=1), important 20% (n=6), very important 23% (N=7) and essential 53% (n=16), with 42% (n=15) considering that training should be carried out exclusively by nurses and 42% (n=15) by all the HCP involved. <bold>Discussion:</bold> Despite the HCP expertise and extensive professional experience, a significant majority had never received training in SA-IVM and did not know if this option was available in their hospital. SA-AAT is an option for DAAT so training in SA-AAT is essential and should include all professionals involved, especially nurses, so it is important to promote it and implement SA-AAT protocols.