From Tehran U: Perspectives of Iranian medical students about do-not-resuscitate orders

Maedica (Buchar). 2013 Sep;8(3):261-4.

Perspectives of Iranian medical students about do-not-resuscitate orders.

Ghajarzadeh M¹, Habibi R¹, Amini N², Norouzi-Javidan A¹, Emami-Razavi SH¹.

Author information

• ¹Brain and Spinal Injury Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
• ²Cancer Research Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

ABSTRACT:

Objective: To study the attitudes of Iranian medical students towards the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decision.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 220 medical students (110 interns and 110 residents) of Tehran University of medical sciences were selected. They asked to answer to the questionnaire which included two items: first item consisted of demographic questions (age, sex, and level of education); second item included questions about DNR Orders which derived from a previous study conducted by Hosaka et al.
Results: A total of 185 questionnaires returned (Response rate (RR=84%)). Ninety five were residents and ninety were interns. Seventy four percent of residents and 53% of interns felt that DNR order is sporadically necessary. Near 30% of interns and 40% of residents had participated in DNRs in their study period and the most case was the patient with terminal cancer. The most common person who decided DNR orders were physicians.Most participants believed that DNR cards are useful for establishing in clinical settings.
Conclusion: As DNR is definitely a medical decision, it should be clearly discussed with patients and their families. So, it should be provided in standard format in medical situations.