Comparison of awareness of patient parameters between two groups of caregivers in intensive care unit

Aim of the Study: The overlap in the scope of duties performed by two core groups of Intensive Care Unit caregivers, the doctors and nurses may lead to gaps in awareness of patient-related parameters among them. Our study tested the hypothesis that there is no difference in the awareness of patient-related parameters between the two study groups (doctors and nurses). Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based study, incorporating various aspects of a patient's medical care was designed. Pro forma for 100 patients was filled by doctors and nurses divided into two groups of 100 each (50 junior residents [JRs] and 50 senior residents [SRs] in the doctors' group). Statistical analysis of categorical data was done by Chi-squared test and interval data by t -test. A subgroup analysis was done for comparison between nurses SRs and JRs as independent groups. P Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (doctors and nurses) in terms of percentage of correct responses in the questionnaire ( P = 0.655). A highly significant difference between the knowledge of SRs and nurses was found with a P = 0.0001. P Conclusions: As a group, doctors (SRs and JRs) did not reflect any difference in awareness of patient-related parameters when compared to nurses. However, SRs were more knowledgeable about the patient-related parameters when compared independently with the JRs and the nurses.