Impact of written information on knowledge and preferences for cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Aim: To investigate knowledge about and attitudes to cardiopulmonary resusc itation (CPR), and to determine whether written information about CPR alter s knowledge and choices made. Design: Questionnaire-based survey before and immediately after provision o f written information describing CPR and its risks and benefits. Subjects and setting: All health professionals (803) and competent inpatien ts (260) in a tertiary care hospital (John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia) in June 1994. Main outcome measures: CPR knowledge scores and choice scores (number of hy pothetical clinical scenarios in which CPR would be chosen) before and afte r provision of information about CPR. Results: Response rates were 64% (health professionals) and 58% (patients). Patients had limited awareness of procedures involved in CPR, while both p atients and health professionals overestimated its success rates. Mean know ledge scores increased after provision of information: for patients, from 6 .4 out of 18 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0-6.9) to 10.4 (95% Cl, 9.9-1 1.1); and for health professionals, from 11.9 (95% CI, 11.7-12.1) to 13.9 ( 95% CI, 13.7-14.2). In contrast, mean choice scores decreased after provisi on of information: for patients, from 5.3 out of 12 (95% CI, 4.7-5.7) to 4. 4 (95% Ct, 3.9-4.8); and for health professionals, from 4.1 (95% CI, 3.9-4. 2) to 3.5 (95% CI, 3.3-3.7). Conclusion: Our results imply that people understand and use prognostic inf ormation to make decisions about CPR. To make autonomous judgements, patien ts and health professionals need better education on CPR outcomes.