Indian Journal of Anaesthesia (Jan 2008)
Training and Confidence Level of Junior Anaesthetists in CPR- Experience in A Developing Country
Abstract
Training in resuscitation is done worldwide by a dedicated council who is responsible for training and frequent recertification. Nigeria has no Resuscitation council and training is the responsibility of individual health institutions. There is no mandatory law on resuscitation training or recertification. This study sought to investigate how much training in CPR occurs, how effective this training is and how confident our anaesthetic trainees are in implementing present guidelines. A detailed questionnaire was anonymously filled by trainee anaesthetists who attended a revision course prior to postgraduate examinations. They answered questions on their length of training in anaesthesia, CPR training re-ceived, confidence in implementing existing guidelines and suggestions for improvement. Thirty -six trainees responded. Mean length of anaesthetic training was 3.55 ±2.39 years. 55.6% of trainees had received some CPR training. 75% of this was conducted by their anaesthetic department. Eleven trainees (30.6%) were confident in their ability to perform CPR according to 2005 guidelines, twelve (33.3%) had ever defibrillated a patient and only ten (27.8%) were confident in their ability to interpret ECG There is low confidence among junior anaesthetists in Nigeria in performance of CPR, poor knowledge of ECG interpretation of cardiac arrest rhythm and little practice in defibrillation. The establishment of a Resuscitation council would ensure adequate and frequent training which would improve knowledge, boost confidence and result in better patient care.
