Evaluation of emergency service physicians' knowledge, attitudes and approaches in hyponatremia management

ABSTRACT Aim Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder in emergency departments and is closely associated with morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, clinical approaches, and self-efficacy of emergency physicians in Turkey regarding the management of hyponatremia. Material and Method This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted online between June and August 2025. A total of 332 physicians (117 female, 215 male) participated. The questionnaire included demographic and professional characteristics, knowledge- based items, and a self-efficacy scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 30 with t-test, ANOVA, and factor analyses. Results The mean age of participants was 34.3±8.08 years, with general practitioners forming the largest group (35.8%). While 60.2% had received postgraduate training, 84.9% emphasized the necessity of repeated education. The self-efficacy scale showed high reliability (Cronbach's α=0.86), whereas the knowledge scale had limited reliability (α=0.57). Emergency medicine specialists demonstrated significantly higher self-efficacy scores compared with residents and general practitioners (p<0.001). Physicians who attended additional training programs also scored higher in both knowledge and skills (p<0.05). Conclusion There is considerable heterogeneity in the knowledge and self-efficacy of emergency physicians regarding hyponatremia management in Turkey. Regularly updated training programs and adherence to guideline-based approaches are essential to improve patient safety and treatment outcome.