OBJECTIVE: to determine what proportion of general practitioner (GP) principals in Herefordshire health authority are able to perform basic life support according to current guidelines. DESIGN: prospective cohort study. SETTING: Herefordshire Health Authority area. SUBJECTS: 53 general practitioner (GP) principals, based in 18 surgeries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
OBJECTIVE: to determine what proportion of general practitioner (GP) principals in Herefordshire health authority are able to perform basic life support according to current guidelines. DESIGN: prospective cohort study. SETTING: Herefordshire Health Authority area. SUBJECTS: 53 general practitioner (GP) principals, based in 18 surgeries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.