Ethics-Governance: Article: MJA: Kerridge et al., Decision making in CPR: attitudes of hospital patients and healthcare professionals

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MJA: Kerridge et al., Decision making in CPR: attitudes of hospital patients and healthcare professionals Decision making in CPR: attitudes of hospital patients and healthcare professionals Ian H Kerridge, Sallie-Anne Pearson, Isobel E Rolfe and Michael Lowe MJA 1998; 169: 128-131. For editorial comment, see Ryan Objective: To examine the opinions of patients and healthcare professionals regarding the process of making decisions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Design and participants: A cross-sectional survey of 511 healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses and allied health professionals) (64% response rate) and 152 patients (58% response rate) at the John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, in June 1994. Main outcome measures: Opinions on who should be involved in CPR decision making; what issues are important when making the decision; and how these decisions should be communicated. Results: 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72%-86%) of patients and 99% (95% CI, 98%-100%) of healthcare professionals (P < 0.001) thought patients' views should be taken into account when making CPR decisions. More patients (29%; 95% CI, 22%-38%) than healthcare professionals (14%; 95% CI, 11%-17%) indicated that doctors should be the main decision makers. Two-thirds of respondents regarded the patient's wishes, diagnosis and quality of life as important factors. Most respondents (82%) felt comfortable discussing CPR, but only 29% (95% CI, 22%-37%) of patients and 57% (95% CI, 52%-61%) of healthcare professionals had actually discussed CPR with others (P < 0.001). More than half of all respondents preferred to express their wishes about CPR in writing (47% [95% CI, 39%-55%] of patients, 69% [95% CI, 64%-73%] of healthcare professionals; P < 0.01); the others preferred to tell a family member or close friend. Full Article: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/aug3/kerridge/kerridge.html


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