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An audit of basic life support skills amongst general practitioner principals: is there a need for regular training?
Objective:
to determine what proportion of general practitioner (GP) principals in Herefordshire health authority are able to perform basic life support according to current guidelines.
Design:
prospective cohort study.
Setting:
Herefordshire Health Authority area.
Subjects:
53 general practitioner (GP) principals, based in 18 surgeries.
Main Outcome Measures:
basic life support (BLS) skills were assessed using the 1997 UK Resuscitation Council guidelines in checklist form as a process criterion. An assessments of each doctor was made before and after teaching of BLS skills.
Results:
50% of GP principals (n=53) in Herefordshire Health Authority took part in the audit. Of these 90.6% (48) were unable to perform BLS according to current guidelines on initial appraisal. After a practical teaching session 98% were competent in BLS skills.
Conclusion:
without regular teaching, BLS skills amongst GPs are likely to fall below an acceptable standard. Even short teaching periods can produce significant improvement in skills.