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Doctors are inconsistent in estimating survival after CPR and are not using such predictions consistently in determining DNACPR decisions.

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posted on 2019-04-30, 14:35 authored by Andrew C. Kidd, Katie Honney, Lesley K. Bowker, Allan B. Clark, Phyo K. Myint, Richard Holland
Background:. It is unclear whether doctors base their resuscitation decisions solely on their perceived outcome. Through the use of theoretical scenarios, we aimed to examine ‘do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation’ (DNACPR) decision making. Methods:. A questionnaire survey was sent to Consultants and Specialty Trainees across two Norfolk (UK) hospitals during December 2013. The survey included demographic questions and six clinical scenarios with varying prognosis. Participants were asked if they would resuscitate the patient or not. Identical scenarios were then shown in a different order and doctors asked to quantify patients’ estimated chance of survival. Results:. A total of 137 individuals (mean age 41 years (SD 7.9%)) responded. The response rate was 69%. Approximately 60% were consultants. We found considerable variation in clinician estimates of median chance of survival. In three out of six of our scenarios, survival estimated varied from <1% to 95%. There was a statistically significant difference identified in the estimated median survival between those clinicians who would or would not resuscitate, in four of the six scenarios presented. Conclusion:. This study has highlighted the wide variation between clinicians in their estimates of likely survival and little concordance between clinicians over their resuscitation decisions. The diversity in clinician decision-making should be explored further.

History

Citation

Geriatrics, 2019, 4(2), 33

Author affiliation

/Organisation/COLLEGE OF LIFE SCIENCES/School of Medicine/Department of Medical Education (Pre Nov 2017)

Version

  • VoR (Version of Record)

Published in

Geriatrics

Publisher

MDPI

issn

2308-3417

Acceptance date

2019-04-26

Copyright date

2019

Available date

2019-09-17

Publisher version

https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/4/2/33

Language

en

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