Burns management and junior staff--what do they know?
This study examines the ability of junior doctors to initiate the management of burned patients. One hundred and twenty-four junior doctors were assessed using a questionnaire. Eighty per cent of the sample had had undergraduate lectures on the subject and 43 per cent had experience of managing patients with major burns. Despite this only 3 per cent could correctly carry out all the steps necessary to estimate the fluid requirements of a burned patient. Theoretical knowledge of the 'Rule of Nines' was adequate but 10 per cent of the sample made mathematical errors when supplied with a burns formula and the appropriate values. We suggest that postgraduate instruction be given to junior staff and that burns charts include details of a burns formula and an illustrative example of the calculation required.
Griffiths
G D
GD
Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Clwyd, UK.
Jenkinson
L R
LR
Francis
D A
DA
Henderson
J J
JJ
D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D014852:Wales