Evaluation of physician skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Thirty-five physicians at various levels of postgraduate training in internal medicine were evaluated for performance skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to standards of the American Heart Association. They were given instruction in only the cognitive knowledge related to CPR through lectures and a demonstration of the technique, without supervised manikin practice. Only 22% (8) of the physicians tested were able to adequately compress and ventilate the manikin in a simulated cardiac arrest. Although physicians are proficient in the use of drugs during resuscitative efforts, it is also imperative that they be able to perform basic CPR.