First aid and basic life support of junior doctors: A prospective study in Nijmegen, the Netherlands

Abstract

According to the Dutch medical education guidelines junior doctors are expected to be able to perform first aid and basic life support. A prospective study was undertaken to assess the level of first aid and basic life support (BLS) competence of junior doctors at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (RUNMC), the Netherlands. Fifty-four junior doctors (18%), of the medical students in their final years, were submitted to a theoretical test, composed of multiple-choice questions concerning first aid and basic life support. This test was followed by a practical test consisting of two out-of-hospital first aid and basic life support scenarios including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In total, 19% of the junior doctors passed the theoretical test. The first scenario was performed correctly in 11%. The CPR situation was correctly performed by 30% of the students as observed by the examiners but when assessed by the checklists of Berden only 6% of the students performed correct CPR. It is concluded that the level of first aid and basic life support of the junior doctors at the RUNMC is low and does not meet the required level as stated in the guidelines for practice of medical education in the Netherlands.

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Edward C.T.H. Tan

EDWARD TAN, MD, is a surgeon at the RUNMC. His own experience as a student made him committed to first aid and basic life support. He started this research.

Irma Severien

IRMA SEVERIEN, MD, was the medical student at the RUNMC performing this research; she is a GP resident.

Jaap C.M. Metz

JAAP METZ, MD PhD, is a professor emeritus in Medical Education at the RUNMC and was director of the Clinical Training Center in Nijmegen.

Hubert J.J.M. Berden

HUBERT BERDEN, MD PhD, is president of the Dutch Reanimation Council and currently a board member of the Elisabeth Hospital in Tilburg.

Jan Biert

JAN BIERT, MD PhD, is a trauma surgeon at the RUNMC.