Premium
Physician characteristics influence the trends in resuscitation decisions at different ages
Author(s) -
Hansen Thor Willy Ruud,
Aasland Olaf,
Janvier Annie,
Førde Reidun
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.14326
Subject(s) - norwegian , medicine , resuscitation , specialty , neonatal resuscitation , comfort care , family medicine , emergency medicine , palliative care , nursing , philosophy , linguistics
Aim We examined how physicians in different medical specialties would evaluate treatment decisions for vulnerable patients in need of resuscitation. Methods A survey depicting six acutely ill patients from newborn infant to aged, all in need of resuscitation with similar prognoses, was distributed (in 2009) to a representative sample of 1650 members of the Norwegian Medical Association and 676 members of the Norwegian Pediatric Association. Results There were 1335 respondents (57% participation rate). The majority of respondents across all specialties thought resuscitation was in the best interest of a 24 weeks’ gestation preterm infant and would resuscitate the patient, but would also accept palliative care on the family's demand. Accepting a family's refusal of resuscitation was more common for the newborn infants. Specialists were overall similar in their answers, but specialty, age and gender were associated with different answers for the patients at both ends of the age spectrum. Conclusion Resuscitation decisions for the very young do not always seem to follow the best interest principle. Specialty and personal characteristics still have an impact on how we consider important ethical issues. We must be cognisant of our own valuations and how they may influence care.