Induction to neonatal resuscitation: A UK-wide survey on practice

To assess the perceived quality, and variation in quality, of Neonatal Induction Programmes in preparing medical staff to attend deliveries and deliver neonatal resuscitation if required. To delineate the components of an induction programme and the systems processes that would optimise medical staff training in delivering neonatal resuscitation.

We conducted a nationwide (United Kingdom [UK]) survey of all junior doctors working within paediatric/neonatal posts as well as the persons responsible for organising their local Neonatal Induction Programme.

We received 237 respondents from diverse roles. Practitioners feel only somewhat effectively prepared to attend deliveries and deliver neonatal resuscitation. More concerningly, they report moderate-to-high levels of variation across different centres. Practical training is considered more important than theoretical; and basic topics more useful than advanced. The preferred approach to neonatal resuscitation training is a locally determined programme within a framework of national standards/recommendations.

Practitioners feel that the quality, and particularly variation in quality, of neonatal resuscitation training at induction across the United Kingdom is suboptimal. Staff indicated the utility of a framework of national standards, and indeed this survey has been instrumental in the publication of such standards by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.