Addressing the Allergy Education Gap in UK Medical Training 

A recent report led by the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI), Shaping Allergy Training in the UK Foundation Programme: a national survey, highlights the urgent need to integrate allergy education into the early stages of medical training. The findings emphasise the importance of providing doctors with the knowledge they need to help the millions of people in the UK affected by allergic conditions, such as hay fever, eczema, and food allergies. Additionally, early exposure may inspire more trainees to become allergy specialists or GPs with an extended role in allergy (GPwER), thereby easing pressure on allergy services. 

Despite how common and serious allergies can be, many people with allergies are treated by doctors who aren’t specialists. This is because the UK faces a significant shortage of allergists, impacting both the quality-of-care patients receive and the training available to other doctors. While it’s important for all doctors to know how to manage allergies, there is often not enough training on this topic. 

The UK Foundation Programme (UKFP) is the two-year vocational training programme that all newly qualified doctors in the UK complete, before deciding on their long-term career pathway. Little is known about how often foundation doctors encounter patients with allergy or how confident they feel to manage allergic conditions. Therefore, the BSACI led the research to find out where and how allergy education is lacking, and to suggest ways to improve it. 

What Did the Report Find? 

The report surveyed doctors in England working in the UK Foundation Programme. It explored how often doctors come across allergic conditions in practice, how confident they feel in handling them, and where they need more training. The main findings were: 

• There’s not enough formal allergy training during medical school, or the 2-year Foundation Programme. 

• Doctors feel underprepared to manage allergic conditions, despite managing patients with allergy frequently. 

• There’s a chance to improve training in allergy care for new doctors, helping them to better assess, diagnose, and manage allergies. 

Why Does This Matter? 

For people with serious allergies, fast and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Delays or mistakes in treatment can lead to anxiety, discomfort, and even life-threatening situations. This report suggests that many newly qualified doctors don’t have enough knowledge about allergies, including when and how to refer patients for specialist care. 

Improving allergy training can help new doctors: 

• Recognise the signs of allergic reactions more confidently. 

• Provide better advice on managing serious allergic conditions. 

• Reduce pressure on allergy specialists by referring the right patients at the right time. 

While changes to training programmes may take time, this report is a step toward making healthcare more responsive to the needs of people with allergies. 

What Can Patients Do in the Meantime? 

If you have serious allergies, here are some tips to ensure you get the best care: 

1. Be Prepared: Always carry your adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) and make sure people around you know how to use them in an emergency. 

2. Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about advice or treatment, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. 

3. Use Trusted Resources: Anaphylaxis UK offers expert resources and a helpline to help you manage your allergies. 

A Step Toward Better Allergy Care 

This report is an important move toward improving care for people with allergies. By shaping how future doctors are trained, organisations like BSACI are pushing for a healthcare system where allergies are taken seriously, and patients feel confident in the care they receive. 

Together, we can continue pushing for progress. 

Read the full report here: Shaping Allergy Training in the UK Foundation Programme: a national survey.