• Katherine J Gold, Daniel W Gorenflo, Thomas L Schwenk, and Susan L Bratton.
• Department of Family Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. ktgold@umich.edu
• Pediatr Crit Care Me. 2006 Sep 1;7(5):428-33.

ObjectiveFamily presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children is an emerging practice. Although many hospitals allow this practice, there is scant research on physician attitudes and opinions and on physician views about training for resident physicians.DesignSurvey method.SettingUniversity and community settings.PatientsWe randomly selected 1,200 pediatric critical care and emergency medicine providers from professional association mailing lists.InterventionThe providers were mailed up to two written surveys and two reminder cards. The survey consisted of 40 multiple-choice and short-answer questions about demographics, past experiences, and opinions on pediatric family presence.Measurements And ResultsOf 1,200 surveys mailed, 521 were completed (43.4%) and 73 (6.1%) respondents returned the form declining to participate. More than 99% of respondents were physicians. Four hundred and thirty-three respondents (83%) reported participation in pediatric resuscitation with family members present, with a mean of 15 episodes ever and three episodes within the last year. Of those who had ever participated, more than half thought it was helpful for the family, and two thirds believed that parents wanted the option. Ninety-three percent would allow family presence in some situations. Seventy-four percent believed family presence would be stressful for a resident physician, but nearly 80% believed that residents working with children should be educated in this area.ConclusionsFamily presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children is not an uncommon experience for health care providers. Most respondents had resuscitated a child with family members present. The majority thought that presence was helpful to parents and that residents should be trained in this practice.

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