Assessing the Emergency Medicine Specialists Knowledge Regarding Thrombolytic Therapy in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background: Stroke is a major health concern worldwide, and timely intervention is crucial for improving outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. Emergency specialists play a critical role in managing these patients, yet gaps in their knowledge of stroke symptoms, risk factors, and thrombolytic therapy can cause delays in treatment, ultimately impacting patient outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of emergency medicine specialists in Tabriz, Iran, regarding stroke symptoms, risk factors, and therapeutic interventions, with a specific focus on thrombolytic therapy. Methods: A survey study was conducted with 30 emergency medicine specialists from hospitals in Tabriz, using a structured questionnaire for data collection. Participants were selected through simple random sampling. The questionnaire assessed knowledge of common stroke symptoms, risk factors, and management protocols, including the use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). The validity and reliability of the tool were established through expert review and a pilot study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation, with a significance level set at P 0.05. Results: The study revealed that participants had limited knowledge of stroke symptoms, with most identifying only 4 out of 10 common symptoms. While high blood pressure and heart disease were widely recognized as risk factors (100%), less common factors, such as stress and heredity, were poorly identified. Regarding management, 97% of participants were aware of tPA, but none correctly identified all three treatment strategies (tPA, aspirin, and surgery). Additionally, fewer than 60% of participants prioritized calling emergency medical services (EMS) as the first step in stroke management. Conclusions: The findings underscore significant gaps in emergency specialists knowledge of stroke symptoms, risk factors, and management strategies, particularly concerning thrombolytic therapy. Targeted educational interventions are essential to enhance emergency medicine specialists understanding of stroke care and improve patient outcomes.