Swiss Mountain Guides: Medical Education, Knowledge, and Practice.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_6B1AC2604737
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Swiss Mountain Guides: Medical Education, Knowledge, and Practice.
Journal
High altitude medicine & biology
ISSN
1557-8682 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1527-0297
Publication state
Published
Issued date
09/2019
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
20
Number
3
Pages
251-261
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: ppublish
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Background:
Mountain guides work daily in remote areas and high-altitude locations where specific hypoxia-related and common medical problems may occur. Arrival of rescue teams can be delayed, so mountain guides often have to rely on their own capabilities to provide first aid. Therefore, IFMGA-recognized Swiss mountain guides receive a specific medical education and are equipped with a dedicated medical kit. This specific education has never been evaluated.
Methods:
A questionnaire was sent to all Swiss mountain guides through their national association. This questionnaire evaluates guides' activity, type, and frequency of medical events encountered, medical education, and use of the medical kit. Furthermore, clinical vignettes were used to evaluate their subjective and objective knowledge about prevention and treatment of specific altitude-related diseases.
Results:
A total of 467 guides completed the questionnaire, 54 (11.6%) of them were identified as high-altitude guides (HA-guides), because they spent ≥10 nights above 4000 meters each year. Mountain guides are more exposed to altitude-specific pathologies, such as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) than to general medical conditions. A majority of participants (in particular HA-guides) considered altitude-related medical knowledge essential but judged their own education as insufficient. A majority of mountain guides were aware of nonpharmacological preventive measures and able to recognize altitude-related diseases. Mountain guides declared themselves as very confident in treating altitude-related diseases. Objective assessment of their knowledge showed some gaps, in particular related to the use of specific medications like nifedipine and dexamethasone.
Conclusions:
Swiss mountain guides' education in altitude medicine may be improved, in particular concerning the recognition and treatment of severe conditions such as HAPE and HACE. Better knowledge may be especially important for HA-guides. These data have induced experts in the field to adapt the guides teaching curriculum and medical kit.
Mountain guides work daily in remote areas and high-altitude locations where specific hypoxia-related and common medical problems may occur. Arrival of rescue teams can be delayed, so mountain guides often have to rely on their own capabilities to provide first aid. Therefore, IFMGA-recognized Swiss mountain guides receive a specific medical education and are equipped with a dedicated medical kit. This specific education has never been evaluated.
Methods:
A questionnaire was sent to all Swiss mountain guides through their national association. This questionnaire evaluates guides' activity, type, and frequency of medical events encountered, medical education, and use of the medical kit. Furthermore, clinical vignettes were used to evaluate their subjective and objective knowledge about prevention and treatment of specific altitude-related diseases.
Results:
A total of 467 guides completed the questionnaire, 54 (11.6%) of them were identified as high-altitude guides (HA-guides), because they spent ≥10 nights above 4000 meters each year. Mountain guides are more exposed to altitude-specific pathologies, such as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) than to general medical conditions. A majority of participants (in particular HA-guides) considered altitude-related medical knowledge essential but judged their own education as insufficient. A majority of mountain guides were aware of nonpharmacological preventive measures and able to recognize altitude-related diseases. Mountain guides declared themselves as very confident in treating altitude-related diseases. Objective assessment of their knowledge showed some gaps, in particular related to the use of specific medications like nifedipine and dexamethasone.
Conclusions:
Swiss mountain guides' education in altitude medicine may be improved, in particular concerning the recognition and treatment of severe conditions such as HAPE and HACE. Better knowledge may be especially important for HA-guides. These data have induced experts in the field to adapt the guides teaching curriculum and medical kit.
Keywords
acute mountain sickness, high-altitude cerebral edema, high-altitude pulmonary edema, medical education, medical kit, mountain guide, remote environment
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
18/08/2019 16:02
Last modification date
20/12/2019 7:22