Knowledge of Glasgow coma scale by air-rescue physicians.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the theoretical and practical knowledge of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) by trained Air-rescue physicians in Switzerland.

Methods

Prospective anonymous observational study with a specially designed questionnaire. General knowledge of the GCS and its use in a clinical case were assessed.

Results

From 130 questionnaires send out, 103 were returned (response rate of 79.2%) and analyzed. Theoretical knowledge of the GCS was consistent for registrars, fellows, consultants and private practitioners active in physician-staffed helicopters. The clinical case was wrongly scored by 38 participants (36.9%). Wrong evaluation of the motor component occurred in 28 questionnaires (27.2%), and 19 errors were made for the verbal score (18.5%). Errors were made most

SUBMITTER: Heim C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2743630 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature