Basic Life Support: Knowledge and Attitude of Postgraduate Trainee Doctors Working in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital of Bangladesh.

Basic life support (BLS) refers to the immediate care provided to individuals experiencing respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, or airway obstruction. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding BLS among postgraduate trainee doctors. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 postgraduate trainees from various disciplines at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh over a six-month period from January to June 2018. Of the respondents, 55.2% were male and 44.8% were female, with a mean age of 30.7±2.5 years. Participants represented Medicine (48.6%), Surgery (23.8%) and Obstetrics and Gynaecology (27.6%) faculties. Most respondents had three years of clinical training (31.3%), followed by two years (21.0%), four years (21.0%), more than one year (18.1%) and more than six months (8.6%). Only 24.8% of the trainees had received prior BLS training and their knowledge scores (8.61±2.55) were significantly higher than those without training (p<0.05). However, overall knowledge gaps were evident, with the majority uncertain about the initial response for an unresponsive patient (70.5%), correct chest compression location in adults (71.4%) and infants (68.6%), compression depth, compression rate, rescue-breath frequency and management of foreign body aspiration in both adults and children. Many were also unsure of the meanings of key abbreviations such as AED (Automated external defibrillator) and EMS (Emergency Medical Services). Regarding attitudes, most participants agreed that all doctors should receive BLS training (49.5%) and that BLS should be included in the undergraduate curriculum (63.8%). Half (50.5%) emphasized the need for supervised hands-on training. Common reasons for hesitation to perform BLS included fear of harming patients (36.2%), lack of practice (28.6%), risk of contamination during mouth-to-mouth ventilation (21.0%) and fear of mishap in public settings (19.0%); 12.4% reported no hesitation. The study concludes that standardized and reinforced practical BLS training is essential for postgraduate medical trainees and practicing physicians to ensure preparedness and competence.