What Researchers Did
Researchers surveyed Croatian surgeons and internists using an anonymous questionnaire to understand their beliefs, knowledge, and experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
What They Found
Over half of the surveyed Croatian doctors (53%) had little to no information about HBOT, and 40% had no experience using it. While nearly all (99%) recognized HBOT for decompression sickness, fewer identified it for carbon monoxide poisoning (45%), problem wounds (70%), or gas gangrene (56%). Internists were more likely than surgeons to recognize HBOT for cerebral arterial gas embolism.
Canadian Relevance
This study is not Canadian, but it covers Health Canada-recognized indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, including carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, and arterial gas embolism.
Study Limitations
This was a preliminary report from 2008 with a relatively small sample size of 124 doctors, limiting the generalizability of its findings.