Perspectives of interns and residents toward do-not-resuscitate policies in Saudi Arabia

Figures & data

Table 1 Summary of answers to question one

Are you familiar with the term DNR?
	Yes, n (%)	No, n (%)	Total
Interns	61 (70%)	26 (30%)	87
Residents	49 (92%)	4 (8%)	53

Abbreviation: DNR, do-not-resuscitate.

Table 2 Summary of answers to questions two and three

	Yes, n (%)	No, n (%)	I am not sure, n (%)	Total
Is a clear policy regarding DNR implemented in your hospital?
Interns	15 (17%)	17 (19%)	55 (64%)	87
Residents	17 (32%)	7 (13%)	29 (55%)	53
Does a fatwa exist that regulates DNR on a national level?
Interns	21 (24%)	7 (8%)	59 (68%)	87
Residents	15 (28%)	4 (7%)	34 (65%)	53

Abbreviation: DNR, do-not-resuscitate.

Table 3 Summary of answers to question four

A unified national DNR policy is needed?
	Strongly agree, n (%)	Agree, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Disagree, n (%)	Strongly disagree, n (%)	Total
Interns	37 (42%)	35 (40%)	12 (13%)	2 (2%)	1 (1%)	87
Residents	35 (66%)	3 (3%)	12 (22%)	0 (0%)	3 (5%)	53

Abbreviation: DNR, do-not-resuscitate.

Table 4 Summary of answers to questions regarding which factors to be considered when making the DNR decision

	Very important, n (%)	Important, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Slightly important, n (%)	Not important, n (%)	Total
Patients’ dignity
Interns	48 (55%)	17 (19%)	15 (17%)	3 (3%)	4 (4%)	87
Residents	30 (56%)	11 (20%)	8 (15%)	4 (7%)	0 (0%)	53
Religious concerns
Interns	44 (50%)	26 (49%)	5 (5%)	5 (5%)	7 (8%)	87
Resident	33 (62%)	8 (15%)	3 (5%)	1 (2%)	8 (15%)	53
Legal concerns
Interns	26 (29%)	36 (41%)	17 (19%)	4 (4.5%)	4 (4.5%)	87
Residents	31 (58%)	17 (32%)	4 (7.5%)	1 (1.8%)	0 (0%)	53
Risk of vegetative state
Interns	20 (22%)	21 (24%)	41 (47%)	1 (1.1%)	4 (4.5%)	87
Residents	16 (30%)	18 (34%)	15 (28%)	0 (0%)	4 (7.5%)	53
Limited ICU space
Interns	22 (25%)	18 (20%)	24 (27%)	12 (13%)	11 (12.6%)	87
Residents	27 (50%)	7 (13%)	8 (15%)	7 (13%)	4 (4.5%)	53
Efficient use of medical resources and cost reduction
Interns	20 (23%)	22 (25%)	25 (28%)	11 (12%)	9 (10%)	87
Residents	16 (30%)	12 (22%)	11 (20%)	3 (5.6%)	11 (20%)	53

Abbreviations: DNR, do-not-resuscitate; ICU, intensive care unit.

Table 5 Summary of answers to questions regarding the inclusion of patients in DNR decisions

	Strongly agree, n (%)	Agree, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Disagree, n (%)	Strongly disagree, n (%)	Total
I believe that patients should be involved in decisions regarding their DNR status
Interns	31 (35%)	39 (44%)	12 (13%)	5 (5.7%)	0 (0%)	87
Residents	22 (41%)	20 (37%)	1 (1.8%)	7 (13%)	3 (5.6%)	53
I believe policies should include the patient as a decision maker
Interns	18 (20%)	41 (47%)	20 (23%)	7 (8%)	1 (1.1%)	87
Residents	19 (35%)	11 (20%)	16 (30%)	7 (13%)	0 (0%)	53
I believe patients have the right to reject or request (advanced directive) their DNR status
Interns	35 (40%)	35 (40%)	9 (10%)	8 (9%)	0 (0%)	87
Residents	11 (20%)	22 (41%)	12 (22%)	7 (13%)	1 (1.8%)	53
It is best that patients are not made aware of their DNR status
Interns	4 (4.5%)	11 (12%)	18 (20%)	35 (40%)	19 (21%)	87
Residents	4 (7.5%)	3 (5.6%)	9 (16%)	50 (93%)	7 (13%)	53

Abbreviation: DNR, do-not-resuscitate.

Table 6 Summary of answers to the question regarding analgesia

	Strongly agree, n (%)	Agree, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Disagree, n (%)	Strongly disagree, n (%)	Total
It is acceptable to be generous with analgesia in DNR patients, despite the risk of addiction
Interns	16 (18%)	26 (30%)	30 (34%)	13 (15%)	2 (2.2%)	87
Residents	9 (17%)	14 (26%)	23 (43%)	7 (13%)	0 (0%)	53

Abbreviation: DNR, do-not-resuscitate.

Table 7 Summary of answers to questions regarding the treatment of DNR patients

	Strongly agree, n (%)	Agree, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Disagree, n (%)	Strongly disagree, n (%)	Total
It is acceptable to withdraw life-sustaining treatment from a DNR-labeled patient
Interns	1 (1.1%)	24 (27%)	35 (40%)	19 (21%)	8 (9.1%)	87
Residents	0 (0%)	19 (36%)	18 (34%)	4 (7.5%)	12 (22%)	53
Being conservative with the investigations and treatment of DNR patients is essential to preserve hospital resources
Interns	16 (18%)	32 (36%)	30 (34%)	3 (3.4%)	6 (7%)	87
Residents	9 (17%)	11 (20%)	18 (34%)	11 (20%)	4 (7.5%)	53
Dedicating a smaller portion of my rounds for DNR patients is preferable to better manage patients with better prognosis
Interns	15 (17%)	33 (38%)	18 (20%)	15 (17%)	6 (7%)	87
Residents	10 (19%)	14 (26%)	18 (34%)	3 (5.6%)	8 (15%)	53

Abbreviation: DNR, do-not-resuscitate.

Table 8 Summary of answers to the question regarding organ donation

	Strongly agree, n (%)	Agree, n (%)	Neutral, n (%)	Disagree, n (%)	Strongly disagree, n (%)	Total
The discussion of organ donation with DNR patients/family should be encouraged
Interns	37 (42%)	31 (35%)	13 (15%)	5 (5.7%)	1 (1.1%)	87
Residents	11 (20%)	23 (43%)	8 (15%)	7 (13%)	4 (7.5%)	53

Abbreviation: DNR, do-not-resuscitate.