Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40046350›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Assessing Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, and ICU Doctors' Knowledge, Confidence, and Attitude in Managing In-Flight Medical Emergencies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Shrooq M Hawati, Fares Binobaid, Asmaa Alsaeigh, Walaa Alameer, Ali M Al Ajmi, Mohammed K Alghamdi, Alwaleed A Alqarni, Saad N Al-Harthi, Abdullah Almelaifi, Abdulrahman A Al Shehri

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Shrooq M HawatiEmergency, Security Forces Hospital-Makkah, Makkah, SAU.
Fares BinobaidEmergency Medicine, King Abdulaziz Hospital-Makkah, Makkah, SAU.
Asmaa AlsaeighMedicine and Surgery, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, SAU.
Walaa AlameerMedicine and Surgery, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, SAU.
Ali M Al AjmiMedicine and Surgery, King Faisal University, Al Hassa, SAU.
Mohammed K AlghamdiMedicine and Surgery, King Faisal University, Al Hassa, SAU.
Alwaleed A AlqarniMedicine and Surgery, King Faisal University, Dammam, SAU.
Saad N Al-HarthiMedicine and Surgery, King Faisal University, Al Hofuf, SAU.
Abdullah AlmelaifiMedicine and Surgery, King Faisal University, Al Hofuf, SAU.
Abdulrahman A Al ShehriMedicine and Surgery, King Faisal University, Al Hofuf, SAU.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn-flight medical emergencies (IFMEs) present unique challenges for healthcare professionals, requiring a specific set of knowledge and skills that are not typically covered in standard medical training. This study aims to assess the knowledge, practices, and confidence levels of healthcare professionals in managing IFMEs, as well as their understanding of aviation physiology. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 5,000 healthcare professionals from various specialties and regions. Participants completed a comprehensive survey assessing their demographic characteristics, clinical knowledge, aviation physiology knowledge, and attitudes toward IFMEs. Data were analyzed to identify knowledge gaps, regional and specialty-based variations, and factors influencing confidence levels in handling in-flight emergencies.

resultsThe study revealed that 3745 (74.9%) of the participants demonstrated adequate knowledge, with significant variations observed across regions and specialties. Intensive care unit (ICU) specialists and participants from the Middle region showed the highest levels of knowledge. However, gaps were identified in critical areas such as advanced airway management, cardiac arrest recognition, and understanding of aviation physiology, particularly cabin pressurization and decompression sickness. Additionally, 2125 (42.5%) of the participants expressed the need for further training in managing in-flight emergencies, citing concerns about unfamiliarity with specific emergencies and medicolegal implications.

conclusionWhile overall knowledge levels were relatively high, the study highlights significant gaps in critical areas of in-flight emergency management. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions and training programs focused on the unique challenges of the aviation environment. Addressing these gaps will enhance the preparedness and confidence of healthcare professionals, ultimately improving patient outcomes during air travel.

Indexed as

cross-sectional studiesemergency doctorsemergency medicine physicianfamily medicinein-flight emergenciesmedical icumedical managmentsaudi hospitalss: saudi arabiatravel health

Identifiers

PMID40046350
PMCPMC11880637

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.