Resuscitation of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by Asian primary health-care physicians

Abstract

Aim: To assess the experience, knowledge and attitudes of local primary health-care doctors towards resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods: We conducted a survey of general practitioners (GPs) working in both private and public sectors. The survey consisted of 29 questions and was self-administered.

Results: Response rate was 78.8% with 66 public practice doctors and 23 from private practice. Average ages were 39.8 years (private) and 35.5 years (public) with mean years of practice being 15.1 (private) and 11.4 (public). 47.8% of private and 69.7% of public doctors had been advanced cardiac life-support (ACLS) trained. 13.0% of private and 10.6% of public had witnessed a cardiac arrest in their clinics in the past year. 92.3% of public and 26.1% of private doctors had defibrillators in their clinics (P < 0.01, OR = 34.0, 95% CI = 9.2-125.2). 83.3% (public) versus 52.2% (private) (P < 0.01 OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.6-13.0) agreed that all clinics should have defibrillators. 59.1% (public) and 34.8% (private) would support legislation for defibrillators in clinics (P = 0.04, OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.01-7.3). Reasons given for not buying defibrillators included 'too expensive' (70.6%) and 'unsure how to use' (5.9%). 66.0% would consider buying a defibrillator if the cost was less than Singapore 3000 dollars (1400 Euro). 69.6% (private) and 63.6% (public) were interested in participating in a GP defibrillation project.

Conclusion: Primary care physicians do see themselves as having an important role in resuscitation. We propose a local initiative to equip, educate and encourage defibrillation by GPs in our community.