Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and skills of emergency physicians in managing pediatric trauma in Saudi Arabia and to identify factors influencing these competencies.
Methods: The study was carried out across multiple emergency departments among 385 emergency physicians working in hospitals within Saudi Arabia between June 2024 and November 2024. A structured questionnaire was developed based on existing guidelines and literature on pediatric trauma management. Knowledge scores were categorized into poor (0-5), moderate (6-10), and good (11-15).
Results: The majority of participants (57.1%) demonstrated moderate knowledge, with a mean score of 8.4 ± 2.5 out of 15. Physicians with more than 10 years of experience scored significantly higher (10.2 ± 2.1) compared to those with less than 5 years of experience (6.8 ± 2.3, p < 0.01). Self-reported confidence was highest for fluid resuscitation (77.9%) and cervical spine immobilization (72.7%) but lower for advanced procedures such as chest tube placement (54.5%) and focused abdominal ultrasound (48.1%). Physicians in governmental hospitals had higher mean knowledge scores than those in private hospitals (8.7 ± 2.4 vs. 7.9 ± 2.6, p-value = 0.02).
Conclusion: Emergency physicians demonstrated moderate knowledge and confidence in pediatric trauma management, with notable gaps in advanced procedures. Experience and workplace type significantly influenced knowledge levels. These findings highlighted the need for targeted training programs, simulation-based workshops, and resource allocation to improve pediatric trauma care and patient outcomes.

Key words: Assessment, emergency physicians, knowledge, skills, pediatric trauma