Preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in Cape Town, South Africa

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the principal medical intervention used to reduce the high mortality associated with the cardiorespiratory arrest. There is a paucity of literature on the preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (pCPR) amongst doctors in Cape Town....

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Main Authors: Nabeela Amien, Graham Bresick, Katya Evans
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2022-01-01
Series:South African Family Practice
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Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5323
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author Nabeela Amien
Graham Bresick
Katya Evans
author_facet Nabeela Amien
Graham Bresick
Katya Evans
author_sort Nabeela Amien
collection DOAJ
description Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the principal medical intervention used to reduce the high mortality associated with the cardiorespiratory arrest. There is a paucity of literature on the preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (pCPR) amongst doctors in Cape Town. This study aimed to assess the preparedness for pCPR of doctors working in Western Cape Provincial Government primary health care facilities (PHCFs) in Cape Town with regard to knowledge, confidence and doctors’ knowledge of equipment availability. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to collect quantitative data from a sample of 206 doctors working in Cape Town PHCFs. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 173 doctors (84% response rate). The majority (81.8%) had not undergone pCPR training (Paediatric Advanced Life Support or Advanced Paediatric Life Support). Basic life support was done by 88.3%: 28% greater than two years ago. The average pCPR knowledge score was 61% (standard deviation [s.d.]: 20.3, range: 8.3% – 100%). Doctors in their community service and internship years had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to grade 3 Medical officers (p = 0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively). Eleven per cent had performed pCPR 10 times in the past year; 20% had never performed pCPR and 35% did not feel confident performing pCPR. More than 35% of doctors were uncertain about the availability of equipment in their facility. Conclusion: Doctors working in Cape Town PHCFs have poor knowledge, have low confidence levels and are poorly prepared to perform pCPR. Urgent attention needs to be given to ensuring formal pCPR training and acquaintance with equipment availability and location in Cape Town PHCFs.
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spelling doaj-art-3dc4300908c44dcea9d81715bc8e34102025-08-20T03:06:51ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042022-01-01641e1e810.4102/safp.v64i1.53234199Preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in Cape Town, South AfricaNabeela Amien0Graham Bresick1Katya Evans2Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape TownDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape TownDivision of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape TownBackground: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the principal medical intervention used to reduce the high mortality associated with the cardiorespiratory arrest. There is a paucity of literature on the preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (pCPR) amongst doctors in Cape Town. This study aimed to assess the preparedness for pCPR of doctors working in Western Cape Provincial Government primary health care facilities (PHCFs) in Cape Town with regard to knowledge, confidence and doctors’ knowledge of equipment availability. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to collect quantitative data from a sample of 206 doctors working in Cape Town PHCFs. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 173 doctors (84% response rate). The majority (81.8%) had not undergone pCPR training (Paediatric Advanced Life Support or Advanced Paediatric Life Support). Basic life support was done by 88.3%: 28% greater than two years ago. The average pCPR knowledge score was 61% (standard deviation [s.d.]: 20.3, range: 8.3% – 100%). Doctors in their community service and internship years had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to grade 3 Medical officers (p = 0.001 and p = 0.010, respectively). Eleven per cent had performed pCPR 10 times in the past year; 20% had never performed pCPR and 35% did not feel confident performing pCPR. More than 35% of doctors were uncertain about the availability of equipment in their facility. Conclusion: Doctors working in Cape Town PHCFs have poor knowledge, have low confidence levels and are poorly prepared to perform pCPR. Urgent attention needs to be given to ensuring formal pCPR training and acquaintance with equipment availability and location in Cape Town PHCFs.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5323paediatriccprknowledgeconfidenceequipment availability
spellingShingle Nabeela Amien
Graham Bresick
Katya Evans
Preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in Cape Town, South Africa
South African Family Practice
paediatric
cpr
knowledge
confidence
equipment availability
title Preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in Cape Town, South Africa
title_full Preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in Cape Town, South Africa
title_fullStr Preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in Cape Town, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in Cape Town, South Africa
title_short Preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in Cape Town, South Africa
title_sort preparedness for paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation amongst medical doctors working in primary health care facilities in cape town south africa
topic paediatric
cpr
knowledge
confidence
equipment availability
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5323
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AT katyaevans preparednessforpaediatriccardiopulmonaryresuscitationamongstmedicaldoctorsworkinginprimaryhealthcarefacilitiesincapetownsouthafrica