We have located links that may give you full text access.
Physicians' Knowledge of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Guidelines and Current Certification Status at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica.
West Indian Medical Journal 2014 December
OBJECTIVE: To determine physicians' knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Jamaica, and their current certification status in basic life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), paediatric advanced life support (PALS) and advanced trauma life support (ATLS).
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A 23-item self-administered questionnaire was used to assess physicians practising at the UHWI, from the Departments of Anaesthesia, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Accident and Emergency, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Oncology.
RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three (65%) of the targeted 220 physicians responded. There were 77 (55%) females and 41% of respondents were between ages 26 and 30 years. Knowledge of CPR guidelines was inadequate, as the median score obtained was 4.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 2-5) out of a possible eight. Physician seniority was inversely related to knowledge scores (p < 0.01). While 86% of all respondent physicians had been trained in BLS, only 46% were certified at the time of the study. Fewer (52%) were trained in ACLS with only 36% currently certified. Only 65% had been trained in the use of a defibrillator. Most knew the correct compression rate (78%), but only 46% knew the compressions to breaths ratio for both single and two-rescuer CPR. Only 42% of anaesthetists and 27% of emergency physicians were currently ACLS certified.
CONCLUSION: Physician knowledge of CPR protocols was suboptimal and current certification levels were low. Increased training and recertification is necessary to improve physician knowledge which is expected to result in improved performance of CPR.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. A 23-item self-administered questionnaire was used to assess physicians practising at the UHWI, from the Departments of Anaesthesia, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Accident and Emergency, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Oncology.
RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three (65%) of the targeted 220 physicians responded. There were 77 (55%) females and 41% of respondents were between ages 26 and 30 years. Knowledge of CPR guidelines was inadequate, as the median score obtained was 4.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 2-5) out of a possible eight. Physician seniority was inversely related to knowledge scores (p < 0.01). While 86% of all respondent physicians had been trained in BLS, only 46% were certified at the time of the study. Fewer (52%) were trained in ACLS with only 36% currently certified. Only 65% had been trained in the use of a defibrillator. Most knew the correct compression rate (78%), but only 46% knew the compressions to breaths ratio for both single and two-rescuer CPR. Only 42% of anaesthetists and 27% of emergency physicians were currently ACLS certified.
CONCLUSION: Physician knowledge of CPR protocols was suboptimal and current certification levels were low. Increased training and recertification is necessary to improve physician knowledge which is expected to result in improved performance of CPR.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app