Physical therapists' knowledge on basic life support

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing undergraduates' and physical therapists' knowledge on diagnosing and emergency treating cardiopulmonary arrest. Subjects were 72 students and 108 physical therapists - of which 64 were active in non-hospital environment and 44 in hospitals - who answered a questionnaire on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) based on the American Heart Association 2005 guidelines. Answers were statistically analysed. As to diagnosing cardiopulmonary arrest, groups behaved similarly, having chosen the option"absence of consciousness, pulse and breath". Concerning the pattern of CPR assistance, the recommended ABCD sequence was recognized by 52.8% of the students, 65.9% of the hospital subgroup, and 40.6% of the non-hospital subgroup; nobody of the latter, only 4.1% of the students, and 25% of hospital professionals indicated the currently recommended compression/ventilation ratio. Almost all (94%) participants acknowledged the importance of CPR knowledge in physical therapy practice. Thus, though most current and future physical therapists recognize the importance of CPR for their professional role, they have insufficient knowledge about the subject and only few of them seek to update their knowledge.