2007 survey of medical toxicology practice.

To date, there appear to be no studies investigating the practice settings of all Medical Toxicology (MT) diplomates. The MT Assessment of Practice Performance Taskforce queried all MT diplomates about their current practice settings relative to the number of patients seen, the most common diagnoses, and the percent of time spent in their roles as medical toxicologists (MTs) and in their primary specialty. One hundred twenty-seven surveys were completed (44% response rate). Seventy-nine percent of respondents were affiliated with poison centers. Eighty-eight percent of participants were clinically active and reported seeing or consulting on behalf of at least ten patients over a 2-year period. Acetaminophen toxicity was the most common diagnosis encountered by respondents. Other common diagnoses included antidepressant toxicity, antipsychotic toxicity, mental status alteration, metal/environmental toxicity, envenomation, and pesticide toxicity. While respondents were likely to spend more time in direct patient care in their primary specialty, compared to consulting on behalf of patients, they were more likely to consult on behalf of patients in their role as MTs. Respondents spent more time in research, education, and population health in their role as an MT than in their primary specialty. Administrative activities were more commonly reported in association with the respondents' primary specialty than in their role as MTs. Most MTs encounter certain diagnoses with significant frequency and see a substantial number of patients within these categories. The majority spends more time on direct patient care in their primary specialty but is actively engaged in MT education, research, population health, and administration. A longitudinal assessment of MT practice patterns could inform MT curricular development and practice performance evaluation.

2007 survey of medical toxicology practice improvement activities.

To date, there appear to be no studies that assess Medical Toxicologists' (MTs) practice improvement (PI) activities in their Medical Toxicology practice settings. The MT Assessment of Practice Performance (APP) Taskforce queried all MT diplomates about (1) activities currently available in their practice settings that potentially would meet the requirements of APP, (2) potential APP activities that best fit with current MT practice, and (3) the relationship between MT practice patterns and APP requirements. One hundred twenty-seven surveys were completed. Participation in MT practice improvement activities is not universal, with approximately a third of the survey participants reporting that they are not involved in any practice improvement activity. Few respondents reported that they collected performance improvement-related data. Most who did so participated in CME, case, or chart reviews. Peer reviews, self-improvement plans based on chart reviews, and population research were considered the most valid measures of MT practice improvement. Communication skills were considered important topics for patient surveys. Suggested outcomes for peer assessment included accuracy of information provided, understanding medical staff concerns, timeliness of feedback, and helpfulness. Most respondents rated all of the APP options as being somewhat very intrusive. Access to those with sufficient knowledge of the diplomate's practice improvement program to verify APP could pose a challenge to a successful completion of APP requirements. Optimal settings for the APP program administration are hospitals and poison centers. While barriers to MT APP activities exist, studying current MT diplomates' opinions and practices could inform the future development and administration of such programs.