title: Resuscitation decisions among hospital physicians and intensivists.
abstract: The decision to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remains one of the most important and difficult decisions a physician must make. This study examined differences in CPR decision making among senior hospital clinicians. A questionnaire was sent out to consultants and specialist registrars in general medicine, elderly care and intensive care in a large UK district general hospital, with anonymous returns. Short clinical scenarios were presented, and participants stated their CPR decision and their confidence level. In total, 86 questionnaires were sent out and 54 replies (63%) were received. There were significant differences between specialties in making the decision to perform CPR and the confidence in doing so, with three cases producing polarised results within the specialties, despite equal confidence in the decision. There is lack of consensus with the CPR decisions made between specialties and within them. Formal training in recognition of futility should be encouraged for all clinicians.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Department, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. fraserbrims@googlemail.com
authors.forename: Fraser J H
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Brims
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kilminster
authors.forename: Lynn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D010820:Physicians; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom