PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - R Hotvedt
AU  - I S Kristiansen
TI  - Doctor-staffed ambulance helicopters: to what extent can the general practitioner replace the anaesthesiologist?
DP  - 2000 Jan 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - 41--42
VI  - 50
IP  - 450
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/50/450/41.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/50/450/41.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2000 Jan 01; 50
AB  - During two years, a rural ambulance helicopter programme saved 41 patients' lives. In 29 of these patients, the decisive medical interventions were carried out by the flight anaesthesiologist before reaching the hospital. We asked an expert panel to assess whether these interventions could have been carried out by a general practitioner (GP). This was the case for 17 (59%) of the 29 patients, while more advances skills, equipment or drugs were needed for 11 (38%). Among these 11, three patients would probably have died without the interventions. We conclude that GPs can manage a majority of life saving missions for a rural ambulance helicopter programme, but the lack of a flight anaesthesiologist may imply substantial health losses for a few patients.