An evaluation of objective feedback in basic life support (BLS) training

• Published in: Resuscitation Vol. 73; no. 3; pp. 417 - 424
• Main Authors: Spooner, Brendan B, Fallaha, Jon F, Kocierz, Laura, Smith, Christopher M, Smith, Sam C.L, Perkins, Gavin D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-06-2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Basic life support (BLS); Biological and medical sciences; Bystander CPR; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - education; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - standards; Educational Measurement; Emergency; Emergency and intensive cardiocirculatory care. Cardiogenic shock. Coronary intensive care; Feedback; Female; Humans; Intensive care medicine; Male; Manikin; Manikins; Medical sciences; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Retention (Psychology); Students, Health Occupations; Teaching. Deontology. Ethics. Legislation; Training; Training; Bystander CPR; Adult; Manikin; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Basic life support (BLS); Intensive cardiocirculatory care; Intensive care; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0300-9572; 1873-1570
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2006.10.017

Summary Background Studies show that acquisition and retention of BLS skills is poor, and this may contribute to low survival from cardiac arrest. Feedback from instructors during BLS training is often lacking. This study investigates the effects of continuous feedback from a manikin on chest compression and ventilation techniques during training compared to instructor feedback alone. Materials and methods A prospective randomised controlled trial. First-year healthcare students at the University of Birmingham were randomised to receive training in standard or feedback groups. The standard group were taught by an instructor using a conventional manikin. The feedback group used a ‘Skillreporter’ manikin, which provides continuous feedback on ventilation volume and chest compression depth and rate in addition to instructor feedback. Skill acquisition was tested immediately after training and 6 weeks later. Results Ninety-eight participants were recruited (conventional n = 49; Skillreporter n = 49) and were tested after training. Sixty-six students returned (Skillreporter n = 34; conventional n = 32) for testing 6 weeks later. The Skillreporter group achieved better compression depth (39.96 mm versus 36.71 mm, P < 0.05), and more correct compressions (58.0% versus 40.4%, P < 0.05) at initial testing. The Skillreporter group also achieved more correct compressions at week 6 (43.1% versus 26.5%, P < 0.05). Conclusions This study demonstrated that objective feedback during training improves the performance of BLS skills significantly when tested immediately after training and at re-testing 6 weeks later. However, CPR performance declined substantially over time in both groups.