Longitudinal development in pediatric residents of attitudes toward neonatal resuscitation
C. L. Berseth, J. D. Kenny and R. Durand
We used Guttman scaling procedures to devise a quantitative, reproducible
measure among pediatric residents of attitude change concerning neonatal
resuscitation. Preliminary cross-sectional testing of an incoming group of
pediatric level 1 residents and graduating pediatric level 3 residents
indicated that pediatric level 3 residents were more reluctant to
resuscitate high-risk infants. This reluctance was not due to age
differences. The pediatric level 1 residents were retested at the
completion of each year of training. Residents showed significantly
increased reluctance to resuscitate infants at the end of the first year of
training and again at the end of the third year of training. These attitude
changes were unrelated to gender, marital status, religious preference, or
ethnic background. Data acquired both cross-sectionally and longitudinally
indicated that attitudes toward neonatal resuscitation changed during
residency training.
