Determination of The Knowledge and Skills of Physicians Working In Emergency Services Against Judicial Incidents

INTRODUCTION: In our study, we aimed to determine the approach of physician working in emergency services to forensic cases and to provide data for training on this subject.
METHODS: Our study was carried out between 10.06.2016-15.08.2016 with the physicians working in the emergency services in the country. In order to measure the level of knowledge of physicians in judicial cases, qualitative evaluation including questionnaires and cases were conducted.

RESULTS: 496 physicians were participated in the study.The average age of physicians was 36.7 ± 5.8 years, 65.9% were male. While 39.9% of physicians participated in seminar about forensic medicine, 298 (60.1%) of them did not attend to any seminars regarding forensics. The correct answer rates average of 74 questions asked to doctors about simple medical intervention was 85.6 ± 11.1%. Average of correct responding to questions about life-threatening was 70.3 ± 9.3% and the average of correct responding to all questions was 78.0 ± 7.7%. Among simple medical intervention, life-threatening and total, a positive correlation was found between the level of knowledge and age (p <0.05). The total and simple medical intervention knowledge of the men was found to be better than women (p <0.05). As a result, specialist doctors’ knowledge level was lower, general practitioners had the best knowledge level (p<0.05). Life-threatening and the total level of knowledge was higher in physicians who attended the seminar (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result, the knowledge level of physicians is inadequate on forensic medicine and should be increased with in-service training.