D3.490 - AllergyIQ: An Interactive Virtual Educational Platform in Allergy and Immunology

Allergy and Clinical Immunology (A/I) remains underrepresented in medical education globally, despite rising prevalence of allergic diseases. This gap is particularly significant in regions facing shortages of trained allergists and limited subspecialty training access. Surveys of medical residents demonstrate low confidence in A/I competencies, especially regarding immune deficiencies. To address this, we developed AllergyIQ [https://allergyiq.ca], an innovative self-guided virtual course designed to provide comprehensive, accessible learning experiences that transcend geographical barriers.

AllergyIQ addresses fundamental A/I concepts relevant to international medical training. The platform features modular, self-paced learning incorporating case-based learning, interactive infographics, and multimedia content, grounded in evidence-based pedagogical frameworks including cognitive load theory, spaced learning, retrieval practice, and interleaving. Medical trainees completing an A/I elective at McGill University Health Centre (March 2025–2026) complete up to four online modules covering anaphylaxis, drug/food allergy, and urticaria/angioedema. Satisfaction and knowledge acquisition are measured using pre- and post-program questionnaires and analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Pre-elective surveys (n=68) revealed that only 42.7% of residents felt prepared in A/I, with fewer than 10% reporting confidence in immunology domains. Confidence was particularly low for immune deficiencies (<6.1% across all domains) compared to allergic diseases (11.8–29.4%). Following a 4-week A/I clinical rotation, confidence increased substantially across all competencies, with statistically significant improvements in all domains (p<0.0001). Initial pilot feedback on the AllergyIQ platform has been positive. Formal evaluation of virtual module outcomes is ongoing.

The global rise in allergic diseases, coupled with widespread shortages of allergists—particularly in the Middle East and North Africa—underscores the urgent need for accessible A/I education. Our needs assessment data confirm significant gaps in trainee confidence, while clinical rotation outcomes demonstrate that structured A/I exposure can produce substantial improvements. AllergyIQ implements these evidence-based pedagogical frameworks as a free, online resource with potential to extend high-quality education to healthcare professionals worldwide. Long-term, AllergyIQ aims to serve as an adaptable model for international collaboration in A/I education, ultimately improving patient care across diverse healthcare settings.