Why Do Not Physicians Attend Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training is mandatory in most hospitals. Despite this, some hospital staff do not attend CPR training on a regular basis, but the barriers to training attendance are sparsely investigated. This study aimed to investigate CPR course attendance, barriers to participation, and possible initiatives to increase CPR course attendance.

Physicians from one university hospital and one regional hospital in the Central Denmark Region were included. Questionnaires were handed out at daily staff meetings at departments of internal medicine and surgery.

In total, 233 physicians responded (response rate: 92%, male: 54%). Overall, 32% of physicians had not attended CPR training at the hospital. Mean (±standard deviation) time since the last CPR course participation was 17 (±3) months. Frequent barriers to attending courses included not knowing when courses are conducted (70%) and where to sign up for training (45%). The majority (60%) of physicians responded that the reason why they prioritize course participation is to be professionally updated. In contrast, 16% stated that they had sufficient CPR skills and therefore CPR training was unnecessary. Physicians stated that the following factors would improve CPR training participation: an annual day protected (no clinical work) for course attendance (72%), use of short booster sessions (49%), shorter courses combined with e-learning (51%) and shorter courses held over 2 days (46%).

One-third of physicians did not attend hospital CPR training at two Danish hospitals. Several barriers to course participation exist, of which course registration seems to be a crucial factor. Alternative CPR training methods may help improve training participation.