Awareness of medical staff about botulinum toxin and its use - pilot study

Background: Botulinum toxin, also known as botulinum or Botox, is a substance produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.Although it is one of the most potent toxins known, it has been widely used in medicine.Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of medical staff regarding the use of botulinum toxin and to identify areas for improvement in their medical practice.Material and methods: An observational study was conducted between November 2, 2023, and the end of March 2024 among 100 medical workers.A self-assessment questionnaire was used, and a chi-square statistical test was used.Results: A statistically significant correlation exists between the level of knowledge about botulinum toxin use and the number of individuals with low, average, and high levels of expertise.There is a correlation between the preferences of medical staff and the various channels through which they acquire knowledge.Specialist doctors are one of the most important sources.Still, people in the medical field also reach for others, such as the Internet and social media, or the experiences of their friends or family who have undergone similar procedures.Conclusions: There is a need to tailor training programmes to groups at a given level of knowledge about botulinum toxin.It is also recommended to utilize comprehensive sources of information and consider the professional context in the education and decisionmaking process.