Knowledge of Automatic External Defibrillators in Emergency Medicine Physicians and Other Physicians

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the level of awareness and knowledge of physicians regarding the recognition, knowing the location, and appropriate use of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). This research was designed as a survey study. The questionnaire comprised 5 sections and 11 questions. The questions were open-ended and yes/no questions. All participants were doctors. After the questionnaire was answered, the participants were categorized into two groups, namely, emergency medicine physicians and other physicians. Data on recognition, knowing the location, and appropriate use of AED were compared between the two groups. The study included 326 participants, and their median (IQR) age was 37 years [33–43]. Of the respondents, 53.7% (175) were men. Thirty-nine (12%) participants were emergency medicine physicians. When the AED recognition rates of the participants were examined, 61.5% (24) of emergency medicine physicians recognized it, whereas only 31.4% (90) of other physicians were able to recognize it (p < 0.001). The rate of emergency medicine physicians knowing the location of the AED in public spaces was 71.8% (28), whereas this rate was 35.2% (101) for other physicians (p < 0.001). In addition, emergency medicine physicians correctly placed the AED pads, which was significantly higher compared with other physicians (74.4% vs 31.0% p < 0.001). Emergency medicine physicians recognized AEDs at a higher rate compared with other specialties. Moreover, more emergency medicine physicians correctly position the AED pads compared with other physicians.