School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, 1142, Auckland, New Zealand.
Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy, Westgate, Auckland, New Zealand.
J Foot Ankle Res. 2021 May 14;14(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s13047-021-00481-9.
Podiatrists in New Zealand have a duty of care to assist patients in an emergency, and current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is a requirement for registration. However, it is unknown how competent and confident podiatrists are in administering CPR and how they would respond in an emergency. Having a health professional who has a competent knowledge of CPR and skills in basic life support, can improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, the aim of this study was to survey New Zealand podiatrists to determine their CPR knowledge and qualifications; beliefs about the application of CPR; and perceptions of their competency in CPR.
This cross-sectional study used a web-based survey. Participants were New Zealand registered podiatrists with a current annual practising certificate. The 31-item survey included questions to elicit demographic information, CPR practice and attitudes, and CPR knowledge. Responses were collected between March and August 2020.
171 podiatrists responded to the survey. 16 % of the podiatrists (n = 28) had performed CPR in an emergency, with a 50 % success rate. Participants were predominantly female (n = 127, 74 %) and working in private practice (n = 140,82 %). Nearly half of respondents were younger than 40 years (n = 75,44 %) and had less than 10 years of clinical experience (n = 73, 43 %). Nearly all (n = 169,97 %) participants had received formal CPR training in the past two years, with 60 % (n = 105) receiving training in the past 12 months. Most respondents (n = 167,98 %) self-estimated their CPR ability as being effective, very effective, or extremely effective. Participants' knowledge of CPR was variable, with the percentage of correct answers for CPR protocol statements ranging between 20 and 90 %.
This study provides the first insight into New Zealand podiatrists' CPR knowledge and perceptions. Podiatrists were found to have high levels of CPR confidence but demonstrated gaps in CPR knowledge. Currently, New Zealand registered podiatrists require biennial CPR re-certification. However, resuscitation authorities in New Zealand and overseas recommend an annual update of CPR skills. Based on this study's findings, and in line with Australia and the United Kingdom, the authors recommend a change from biennial to annual CPR re-certification for podiatrists in New Zealand.
The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( ACTRN12620001144909 ).
新西兰足病医生有责任在紧急情况下帮助患者，目前心肺复苏 (CPR) 认证是注册的要求。然而，目前尚不清楚足病医生在实施心肺复苏方面的能力和信心如何，以及他们在紧急情况下会如何反应。拥有一名对心肺复苏有足够知识和基本生命支持技能的卫生专业人员，可以提高心搏骤停患者的存活率。因此，本研究的目的是调查新西兰足病医生，以确定他们的心肺复苏知识和资格；对心肺复苏应用的信念；以及他们对心肺复苏能力的看法。
本横断面研究使用基于网络的调查。参与者为持有当前年度执业证书的新西兰注册足病医生。31 项调查包括询问人口统计学信息、心肺复苏实践和态度以及心肺复苏知识的问题。调查于 2020 年 3 月至 8 月期间进行。
共有 171 名足病医生对调查做出了回应。16%的足病医生（n=28）在紧急情况下进行过心肺复苏，成功率为 50%。参与者主要为女性（n=127，74%），在私人诊所工作（n=140，82%）。近一半的受访者年龄小于 40 岁（n=75，44%），临床经验不足 10 年（n=73，43%）。近 100%的参与者（n=169，97%）在过去两年内接受过正式的心肺复苏培训，其中 60%（n=105）在过去 12 个月内接受过培训。大多数受访者（n=167，98%）自我评估其心肺复苏能力为有效、非常有效或极其有效。参与者对心肺复苏术的知识参差不齐，心肺复苏术方案陈述的正确答案百分比在 20%至 90%之间。
本研究首次深入了解了新西兰足病医生的心肺复苏知识和认知。研究发现，足病医生对心肺复苏术有很高的信心，但在心肺复苏术知识方面存在差距。目前，新西兰注册足病医生需要每两年进行一次心肺复苏术再认证。然而，新西兰和海外的复苏当局建议每年更新心肺复苏术技能。根据这项研究的结果，并与澳大利亚和英国的情况一致，作者建议将新西兰足病医生的心肺复苏术再认证从每两年一次改为每年一次。
该研究在澳大利亚和新西兰临床试验注册中心（ACTRN12620001144909）注册。
