Knowledge and Attitudes of Saudi Emergency Physicians toward t-PA Use in Stroke
Table 2
Physicians’ knowledge and attitude toward t-PA.
Questions
Response
Frequency
Percentage
How would you rate your knowledge about t-PA use in ischemic stroke?
Well updated about most recent literature and guidelines
65
53.2
General knowledge but acceptable
50
40.9
Poor knowledge
7
5.7
Do you think t-PA is an effective treatment for stroke within 4.5 hours of onset?
Yes
70
57.4
No
35
28.7
I don’t know
17
13.9
Do you consider t-PA a standard of care for ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours from onset in eligible patient?
Yes
57
46.7
No
50
41.0
I don’t know
15
12.3
How would you grade the level of evidence for the use t-PA in ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours of onset?
Strong (high level)
35
28.7
Weak (low level)
19
15.6
Controversial
56
45.9
I don't know
12
9.8
Do you recommend t-PA in acute ischemic stroke within 4.5 hours of onset for eligible patients?
Yes
66
54.1
No
50
41
Uncertain
6
4.9
If you don’t recommend t-PA use in stroke, what would be the main reason? (n=56)
Risk of hemorrhage
17
30.3
lack of benefit
21
37.5
Medico-legal liability
4
7.1
Lack of stroke expertise
14
25.0
In the absence of stroke expertise, what do you recommend?
No t-PA should be offered
42
34.4
Train emergency physicians to give t-PA.
43
35.2
Train internists to give t-PA
7
5.7
Establish telestroke.
30
24.6
When needed, would you be willing to be enrolled in training to administer t-PA for stroke (similar to t-PA for myocardial infarction)?
Yes
63
51.6
No
39
32.0
Uncertain
20
16.4
If telestroke is implemented, would you be willing to administer IV t-PA for ischemic stroke in collaboration with remote stroke neurology consultation?
