An audit of basic life support skills amongst general practitioner principals: is there a need for regular training?

Abstract

to determine what proportion of general practitioner (GP) principals in Herefordshire health authority are able to perform basic life support according to current guidelines. prospective cohort study. Herefordshire Health Authority area. 53 general practitioner (GP) principals, based in 18 surgeries. basic life support (BLS) skills were assessed using the 1997 UK Resuscitation Council guidelines in checklist form as a process criterion. An assessments of each doctor was made before and after teaching of BLS skills. 50% of GP principals (n=53) in Herefordshire Health Authority took part in the audit. Of these 90.6% (48) were unable to perform BLS according to current guidelines on initial appraisal. After a practical teaching session 98% were competent in BLS skills. without regular teaching, BLS skills amongst GPs are likely to fall below an acceptable standard. Even short teaching periods can produce significant improvement in skills.