Occupational Physicians' Concern and Fact-finding Methods regarding Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation Education for Employees in the Workplace

Abstract

The fact-finding methods and occupational health physicians' concern regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education for employees in the workplace was investigated. Questionnaires were sent to 138 occupational health physicians who graduated from the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, during the past 10 years. Eighty-two physicians replied to the questionnaire (response rate: 59%). Of these, 98% answered that it was necessary to educate employees regarding CPR, but only 32% of the physicians were actually training employees in CPR. Of the physicians who have had experience educating employees, 85% said that they had been requested by the company to do so. The major reason for not educating employees regarding CPR was that there had been no request from the company. The percentage of physicians who have performed CPR in the workplace was 35%. There was no relation between the request for CPR for enployees from the company and whether the practice was actually being done in the workplace. Of the physicians who have not as yet taught CPR to employees, 70% affirmed that they would like to do so in the future. We concluded that companies needed to be enlightened regarding the necessity of CPR education for employees.