Pedagogical Aspects on Training in Basic Life Support

Introduction: The single most important factor for survival from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is to minimize the time from cardiac arrest to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to provide an electric chock through the heart with an automated external defibrillator (AED). Early start with CPR-AED increases the chance of survival two to four times. It is therefore important that as many people as possible have knowledge to quickly identify SCA and to start CPR-AED.

In this research, education efforts are directed for the adult public at workplaces in Sweden. The Investigator have designed an intervention in accordance to guidelines from European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and the Swedish national education for Basic Life Support (BLS).

This is a cluster randomized trial primarily comparing in the first study, instructor-led training as the control group and self-learning training as the experimental group. In the second study the Investigator plan to compare a preparatory web-education on CVD before the BLS training versus no web-education before the BLS. The Investigator have conducted quality tests on practical skills on BLS, administered questionnaires to the participants about theoretical knowledge, self-assessed confidence and willingness to act in a real-life SCA situation. It is crucial to be able to identify factors that affect knowledge and retention after BLS training and the willingness to intervene in an acute situation.

Background: With modern IT technology, several different options and learning strategies are available. At the same time pedagogical thoughts have emerged on learning. Education can be instructor-led or self-directed and with preparatory courses for theoretical knowledge. The quality of BLS skills and theoretical knowledge can be measured through validated instruments. Against this background, the research goal is to identify how the study can improve retention and which training methods for BLS that should be recommended for the public in the future.

Objectives: The overall objective is to increase survival from OHCA. The aim is to identify factors that affect retention and contributes to intended practical skills, theoretical knowledge and willingness to act after BLS training and whether these goals are affected by the type of training intervention.

Hypothesis: The main hypothesis is that retention of practical skills after BLS training is affected by the type of educational intervention. The hypothesis in the first study is that an instructor present at the time of training have a positive impact on retention six months after the intervention compared to self-directed training. In the second study the hypothesis is that a preparatory web-education on CVD before the BLS has a positive impact on retention six months after intervention compared to no web-education.

Questions: The Primary question is which intervention is most effective for the total score and contributes to intended practical skills and adherence to protocol, the BLS algorithm, six months after the intervention. Secondary questions deal with if other variables such as practical skills, theoretical knowledge, self-assessed confidence and willingness to intervene in a SCA situation are affected when comparing each intervention both direct after and six months after training.

Method: Voluntary, participants from a BLS project at workplaces in Sweden have been included. The participants have been randomized from a randomization list and organized for the study, from an independent coordinator. After training and at six months, a quantitative approach and data collection measured the quality of practical skills in a simulated SCA scenario, on a Laerdal Resusci Anne manikin, connected to the PCSkillReporting system. The assessor was blinded for the type of training intervention. At data collection, the variables were structured according to a modified international quality test, Cardiff Test of basic life support and automated external defibrillation (Cardiff Test) that scored adherence to the treatment algorithm and practical skills. The modified Cardiff Test included 19 variables with a total score of 70 points. A questionnaire scored theoretical knowledge, self-assessed confidence and willingness to act in a real-life situation. At the practical quality tests, the total score was the primary endpoint with other individual variables as the secondary endpoint.

Study population: Strategic sampling was used to include participants from different workplaces in a number of counties in Sweden.

Planned Studies: 1) Self-learning training versus Instructor-led training. 2) A preparatory web-education on CVD before the BLS training versus no web-education before the BLS training. 3) A register study on bystander activity 4) Instructor-led training versus subgroups of training from the BLS intervention project.

Statistics: All statistical analyses will be analysed in SASforwindows and calculated on a cluster level with an alpha level of five percent.

Ethical considerations: Ethical principles for research are carefully considered in the research process. Ethical vetting from Ethical Review of Research, involving Humans is approved (Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg, diaries number 134-14) and Guidelines from the Swedish Research Council, Good Research Practice is actively used. Information has been given both individually to all participants and to the working places. All participant had to read and sign a personal consent form before participating. The result will be published according to the Declaration of Helsinki.