Abstract
As anesthesiolosists are expected to play an increasingly important role in spreadings the use of resuscitation skills. A two-hour class on emergency resuscitation skills was held for 298 physical education (P. E.) instructors. These P. E. instructors included swimming school coaches, scubadiving instructors, and junior and senior high school P. E. teachers. At the end of this class, participants completed questionnaires to determine how much was understood.
Results of this questionnaire revealed that there was little understanding of such medical terms as coma position and Jaw Thrust Maneuver and little knowledge of resuscitation techniques that combine artificial respiration and cardiac massage.
In the United States, emergency resuscitation skills are being introduced to the general public widely through the education. These skills are based on JAMA's guideline for CPR in 1984. The lack of similar guideline in Japan explains the slow spread of resuscitation skills in this country.
Another detrimental factor is the use of incomprehensible medical terminology.
It is advisable that instruction guidelines should be established and that the medical terminology used be standardized, so that trainees will be able to understand what is being taught. This plan will contribute to the future spread of resuscitation skills in Japan.
