Awareness and Management of Paediatric Delirium: Differences Among Clinical Disciplines

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAP) and other physicians working with paediatric patients (paediatrics and paediatric surgery) on delirium. METHODS: To measure the level of knowledge about delirium, participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire consisting of 17 statements developed by paediatric delirium experts at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which were asked to be evaluated as true/false. RESULTS: Of the 249 physicians who participated in the study, 57% (n = 141) were in the CAP group and 43% (n = 108) were in the other doctor group. The median total number of correct answers to the questions was significantly higher in the CAP group (15 [14, 15]) than in the other doctor group (14 [12-15]). The most significant knowledge gap relates to delirium treatment, with 68% of paediatric and paediatric surgery physicians believing that benzodiazepines are frequently recommended for delirium treatment. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that physicians working with children may have misinformation about the risk factors, diagnosis and management of delirium and that there may be differences between specialties. Recalling missing information about delirium and correcting misconceptions will be of great importance in the prevention and treatment of delirium.