Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation among Healthcare Professionals in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Assam

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving modality increasingly used in critical care.However, preparedness and training among healthcare professionals in resource-limited settings like Assam, India, remain underexplored.Objectives: To assess the current levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding ECMO among healthcare professionals in tertiary care hospitals in Assam, and identify potential gaps and training needs.Methodology: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among doctors, nurses, perfusionists, and technicians.A semistructured, pre-validated questionnaire assessed ECMO-related KAP.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative tests (Chi-square, t-test) with p < 0.05 considered significant.Results: Among 82 respondents, variability was observed in ECMO knowledge and practice scores.Prior ECMO exposure correlated with higher KAP scores (p < 0.05).While attitudes were generally positive, confidence in ECMO management was limited.Gaps were prominent in weaning protocols, alarm handling, and emergency preparedness. Conclusion:The study highlights the need for structured, simulation-based ECMO training and region-specific curriculum development.Findings serve as a foundation for multicentric studies in Northeast India.