Review of resuscitation training amongst consultants and middle grade paediatricians

To review the resuscitation training of senior and middle grade paediatricians.

A questionnaire was sent to all paediatricians above the level of senior house officer in the Eastern Region of the UK to determine: (1) completion of basic life support (BLS) training in the previous year; (2) previous attendance at a paediatric/neonatal advanced life support course; (3) resuscitation provider accreditation; (4) instructor status.

Replies were received from 153 out of 160 paediatricians. During the study period 48% 95% CI (36% and 60%) of general hospital consultants (GC), 40% (21% and 61%) of community consultants (CC), 75% (59% and 87%) of specialist registrars (SpRs) and 53% (28% and 77%) of non-consultant grade doctors (T/SG) had received BLS training. 86% (76% and 93%) GC, 24% (9% and 45%) CC, 100% (91% and 100%) SpRs and 82% (57% and 96%) of T/SG had previously attended an advanced life support (ALS) course. Accredited provider skills were maintained by 54% (41% and 65%) GC, 12% (3% and 31%) CC, 83% (67% and 93%) SpRs and 53% (28% and 77%) of T/SG. Only 28% GC, 4% CC, 20% SpRs and 6% T/SG were instructors on any of the advanced courses.

Most paediatricians have attended an ALS courses at some point during their training. Consultants are poor at maintaining/re-certifying their advanced resuscitation skills. Few paediatric consultants and residents instruct on ALS courses.