Doctors 'lack first aid skills'

Would-be sports doctors lack basic life support skills

Two out of three doctors training for a diploma in sports medicine could not manage basic first aid.

Although the research was carried out on only a small group of GPs and hospital doctors its author said it highlights a worrying lack of practical skills.

Despite knowing that they would be tested on basic life support skills, two thirds of those doctors taking the course at the University of Bath proved incapable of dealing with patients with serious spine injuries; cardiac arrests and inserting breathing tubes.

Report co-author Dr Tim Jenkinson, of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath and a specialist in sports and exercise medicine, said the research highlighted the difference between theoretic and practical knowledge.

Although we feel we have the theoretical knowledge the experience is not there

Dr Tim Jenkinson, of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath

"Although we feel we have the theoretical knowledge the experience is not there."

He said it was important for all doctors to ensure that they refresh their basic skills, particularly if they are in a branch of medicine where they get little practice.

"Everybody should do this. Most people would expect doctors to have adequate skills.

Refresher courses

"The only way we can continue to do this is to continue with courses."

Dr Jenkinson said the doctors taking the University of Bath diploma had been surprised to fail.

Almost two thirds of the doctors examined failed to show either the basic life support skills or rapid assessment of a patient with potential spinal injuries - these failed the exam outright.

One in four were unable to open an airway using basic skills and almost two thirds were unable to immobilise the spine.

Almost a third of candidates, highlighted in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, failed to consider potential hazards at the scene of an accident,such as fire, falling rocks or an incoming tide and only half the candidates were proficient in dealing with a cardiac arrest.

Dr Jenkinson said candidates who had recently taken the exam had been better prepared, but that the statistics do highlight problems.

The Royal College of Physicians said it believed all doctors should keep up to date.

A spokesman said: "It is vital that all doctors who are likely to see patients in emergency situations should keep up to date with their professional first aid, resuscitation and life support skills.

"The College recognises the importance of maintaining these skills, incorporating them into continuing medical education for physicians and our own training programmes for junior doctors."