Factors that influence the self-reported confidence of pediatric residents as team leaders during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A national survey.

OBJECTIVE

The leadership skills of pediatric residents during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may have major impacts on their performance. These skills should be addressed during the pediatric residency training program. Therefore, we aimed to identify the perceptions of residents regarding their level of confidence in providing or leading a real pediatric CPR code, and to identify different factors that might influence their self-confidence when assuming the role of a team leader during a real CPR.

DESIGN & SETTING: Cross-sectional paper-based and online electronic surveys were conducted in February 2017, which included all Saudi pediatric residency program trainees.

INTERVENTIONS

A survey questionnaire was distributed to Saudi pediatric residency trainees throughout the Kingdom. The main aim was to assess their perceived level of confidence when running a real pediatric CPR code either as a team leader or as a team member.

RESULTS

The survey was distributed and sent by email to 1052 residents, where it was received by 640 and 231 responded (response rate = 36%). Almost one-fifth of the respondents (19.5%) did not have a valid pediatric advanced life support (PALS) certificate. The most frequently reported obstacles to life support training were lack of time (45.8%) and its financial cost (22.7%). The mean self-reported confidence as a CPR team member was reported significantly more frequently than being a CPR team leader (mean standard deviation, SD) = 7.8 (2.1) and 6.7 (2.4) respectively,  < .001). The self-reported confidence as a CPR team leader was reported significantly more frequently in males compared with female respondents (mean ± SD = 6.7 ± 2.4 and 5.9 ± 2.4, respectively;  < .013). There was a significant positive effect of recent attendance at a real CPR event on the perceived self-rated confidence of residents as a CPR team leader ( < .001). Residents who reported that they had often assumed a real CPR leadership role had significantly greater perceived self-confidence compared with those who assumed a member role ( < .05). Furthermore, residents without a valid PALS certificate had significantly less confidence in leading CPR teams than their peers who were recently certified ( < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The self-reported confidence as team leader during CPR was higher among residents who were certified in life support courses, exposed to CPR during their training, and those who assumed the role of a team leader during CPR. Our findings suggests the need to incorporate life support training courses and simulation-based mock code programs with an emphasis on the leadership in the curriculum of the pediatric residency training program.