Awareness of Classical and Advanced Hematology Concepts among Medical Postgraduates in Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Clinical hematology is advancing rapidly, addressing both benign and malignant blood disorders. However, in Kerala, specialized hematology services remain limited. We undertook a survey to evaluate the awareness of classical and emerging hematology concepts among medical postgraduates in Kerala.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted using a 30-item multiple-choice questionnaire. It assessed knowledge of classical hematology topics and advanced therapies (e.g., bone marrow transplantation, CAR-T therapy, Next-Generation Sequencing [NGS]). Respondents' knowledge was categorized as Excellent (>85%) Good (70-84%), Satisfactory (50-69%), or Needs Improvement (<50%). Awareness levels were further stratified into high (>90%), moderate (75-90%), partial (50-75%), and low (<50%).

Results: Among respondents, 30% demonstrated excellent knowledge, 36.7% good, 30% satisfactory, and 3.3% needed improvement. High awareness (>90%) was observed in the clinical features of aplastic anemia (93.2%), multiple myeloma (97.7%), and the role of NGS (100%). Moderate awareness (75-90%) included immunosuppressive therapy for aplastic anemia (81.8%) and CAR-T therapy (81.8%). Partial awareness (50-75%) was noted for viral associations with aplastic anemia (52.3%) and autologous transplantation for multiple myeloma (68.2%). Low awareness (<50%) was seen in peripheral smear findings for aplastic anemia (43.2%) and diagnostic tools for multiple myeloma (SPEP 34.1%, bone marrow biopsy 36.4%).

Conclusion: While awareness of traditional concepts is strong, areas such as CAR-T therapy side effects, diagnostic tools, and transplant options could benefit from educational interventions. Establishing dedicated hematology departments and incorporating these topics into postgraduate curricula could bridge these gaps.