Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) knowledge
level of residents and related factors in the departments of Anesthesiology, Emergency
Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Cardiology in a university hospital. For this cross-sectional
study, a total of 20 multiple-choice questions were prepared concerning several different
topics, including: fatal dysrhythmias, oxygenation, ventilation and airway control,
asystole, and pulseless electrical activity. Questions were given to residents before
their periodic training meetings and collected in 30 min. There were 101 of 120 residents
from four clinical departments (participation rate 84%) tested. Average point total
and standard deviations of all residents were 66.3 ± 17 out of 100 points. On a departmental
basis, statistically significant differences were found in the knowledge level of
residents (Emergency Medicine: 86.2 ± 8.2, Cardiology: 66.7 ± 12.9, Anesthesiology:
59.3 ± 16.2, Internal Medicine: 56.1 ± 13.5, F: 28.6, p < 0.0001). The factors that affect ACLS knowledge level of residents were “postgraduate
ACLS training,” “awareness of guidelines,” and “resuscitation frequency.” Postgraduate
training and the frequency of ACLS practice seem to increase the ACLS knowledge level
of residents. The present study emphasizes the necessity for a standardized systematic
postgraduate ACLS training program for the residents of related medical disciplines.
Further studies with larger groups are needed to investigate theoretical knowledge,
resuscitation skill competency, and related factors.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 19, 2007
Accepted:
February 27,
2007
Received in revised form:
November 9,
2006
Received:
May 17,
2006
Footnotes
Currently, Drs. Kiyan and Aksay work in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Ege University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, and Dr. Turkcuer works in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Pamukkale University Hospital, Kinikli, Denizli, Turkey.
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
