Laying the foundation in food allergy education: CSACI food allergy educator program.

In Fall 2023, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI) introduced an evidence-based, participant-informed food allergy educator program for physicians and allied health professionals working in allergy. Herein, we aimed to provide an overview and evaluation of the first four cohorts of the foundational course. The 8-weeks foundational course in food allergy, the content of which was delivered by world leaders in food allergy, included topics ranging from food allergy epidemiology, diagnosis and management to the psychosocial burden of food allergy. Learners completed a pre-test and a post-test, one week prior to the course, and one week following the course, respectively. We operationalized the passing grade for the post-test as a minimum of 75%. Data were analysed descriptively with comparisons made using a paired t-test (Stata Version 19.0, College Station, TX). To date, four cohorts, including 34 learners, have completed the foundational course. The pre-test and post-test mean scores were 72.5% (range 30.0–96.0%) and 84.5% (range 65.0–97.5%), respectively, which corresponds to a significant improvement in food allergy knowledge from the pre-test (p < 0.0001). in the first four cohorts of the CSACI Food Allergy Educator Program Foundational Course, food allergy knowledge significantly improved among learners. The foundational course will continue to be offered at least once yearly. An advanced practice course is also being developed.