Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medical emergency complications may occur during dermatological, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of dermatologists who experienced emergency complications as well as their level of knowledge regarding emergencies and basic life support. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted online among 240 dermatologists to whom a questionnaire was sent via email and a closed social media group. The survey instrument asked about emergency complications during dermatological, surgical, or cosmetic procedures and the dermatologists' level of knowledge regarding emergencies and basic life support. RESULTS: Among the dermatologists, 53% reported emergency complications during dermatological and surgical procedures and 43.2% during cosmetic procedures. The most common complications were vasovagal syncope, hypotension/bleeding, and seizures. Emergency complications were more common among specialists, those with more than 15 years of professional experience, those working in their private clinics, and those performing an average of 10-50 dermatological/surgical procedures per week and fewer than 10 cosmetic procedures per week (p < 0.05). The knowledge level of dermatologists was highest among residents, dermatologists with 0-4 years of professional experience, those working in university hospitals, and those who had both theoretical and practical training in basic life support. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a relatively high frequency of dermatologists who experienced emergency complications during dermatological, surgical, or cosmetic procedures. Although these complications seem to be common; most of them are mild, self-limiting, and not life-threatening. Nevertheless, dermatologists should be competent and prepared to intervene in medical emergencies in daily practice.