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Irrational Exuberance: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as Fetish
Philip M Rosoff1, Lawrence J Schneiderman2
1a Duke University Medical Center.
The American Journal of Bioethics : AJOB
|January 24, 2017
Summary
Public campaigns promote cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, the medical profession must educate the public on CPR
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Public Health Initiatives
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is widely promoted for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
- Public campaigns emphasize layperson training in compression-only CPR.
- These campaigns often omit information on distressing outcomes and limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the public's perception of CPR effectiveness.
- To address the "fetishization" of CPR as a universally effective treatment.
- To advocate for ethical public education on CPR's limitations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of public health campaigns and medical literature.
- Ethical review of current public messaging on CPR.
- Formulation of recommendations for improved public education.
Main Results:
- Public campaigns "fetishize" CPR, misrepresenting its effectiveness in out-of-hospital settings.
- Information on negative outcomes and narrow indications is often omitted.
- There is a discrepancy between promoted success rates and actual outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The medical profession has an ethical obligation to provide accurate information on CPR.
- Public education should include limitations and specific clinical indications for CPR.
- A more balanced approach is needed to manage public expectations regarding CPR outcomes.