Death certification practice in Qatar

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of death certification among physicians in Qatar.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Knowledge and practice of death certification were assessed in a group of 317 physicians, selected at random, using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results: Only 22.7% of physicians had received formal training in death certification. More than 60% of physicians knew which healthcare workers were entitled to complete the cause of death section of the form, and 37% of physicians were aware of the conditions for referral to a forensic physician. The most common difficulties facing physicians, when completing death certification forms, were dealing with complicated cases (47.3%), lack of training (43.5%) and failure to understand the terms used in the form (39.6%). Only 21.5% of physicians identified the cause of death correctly in the case scenario; 53.2% of physicians made major errors and 62.8% made minor errors.

Conclusion: Lack of training appears to play a major role in the poor completion of death certification forms. Educational/administrative interventions and training activities are needed.

Keywords: Case scenario; Death certification; Errors in death certificate; Knowledge; Mortality data.