biostudies-literatureKangasniemi HFinnHEMS Research and development unit89https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6775669biostudies-literatureUnknown27(1)BACKGROUND:Making ethically sound treatment limitations in prehospital care is a complex topic. Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) physicians were surveyed on their experiences with limitations of care orders in the prehospital setting, including situations where they are dispatched to healthcare facilities or nursing homes. METHODS:A nationwide multicentre study was conducted among all HEMS physicians in Finland in 2017 using a questionnaire with closed five-point Likert-scale questions and open questions. The Ethics Committee of the Tampere University Hospital approved the study protocol (R15048). RESULTS:Fifty-nine (88%) physicians responded. Their median age was 43 (IQR 38-47) and median medical working experience was 15 (IQR 10-20) years. All respondents made limitation of caScandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicineLimitation of treatment in prehospital care - the experiences of helicopter emergency medical service physicians in a nationwide multicentre survey.PMC6775669Scientific grantVirkkunen ISetala PKangasniemi HHoppu SHuhtala HYli-Hankala AKamarainen ATirkkonen JfalseLimitation of treatment in prehospital care - the experiences of helicopter emergency medical service physicians in a nationwide multicentre survey.BACKGROUND:Making ethically sound treatment limitations in prehospital care is a complex topic. Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) physicians were surveyed on their experiences with limitations of care orders in the prehospital setting, including situations where they are dispatched to healthcare facilities or nursing homes. METHODS:A nationwide multicentre study was conducted among all HEMS physicians in Finland in 2017 using a questionnaire with closed five-point Likert-scale questions and open questions. The Ethics Committee of the Tampere University Hospital approved the study protocol (R15048). RESULTS:Fifty-nine (88%) physicians responded. Their median age was 43 (IQR 38-47) and median medical working experience was 15 (IQR 10-20) years. All respondents made limitation of ca2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Oct2025-04-20T00:27:00.534Z2019-10-16T07:06:37ZS-EPMC67756693157814510.1186/s13049-019-0663-x