Self-learning vs Instructor-led Learning in BLS

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Basic Life Support
• Interventions: Other: Instructor-led learning; Other: Self-learning

• Registration Number: NCT03141528
• Lead Sponsor: Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern

Brief Summary

This study investigates whether there is a difference in the BLS skills in first year medical students directly after training and three months later, when randomly assigned to self-learning versus instructor-led training courses.

Detailed Description

This is a randomized controlled trial investigating whether self-learning versus instructor-led learning results in the same BLS skills in first year medical students directly after training and three months later.

When participants attend the "Erweiterte Erste Hilfe für Studierende der Humanmedizin" they will receive a short introduction about the study. The investigators will invite all first year students to participate in the study. As the study is voluntarily, participants need to sign a written informed consent. After that, the investigators will randomize the students to either group A or Group B. Group A will train their technical CPR-skills with supervision by a tutor (either general practitioner or medical student, all trained in CPR teaching) and group B will train without supervision. The participants in group B will not be allowed to communicate with each other during the training and they will be prevented from watching each other. The training will take about 30 minutes for each group. Directly after the training each group will be tested and the printed report form from the Laerdal Skill Reporter will be obtained for each participant. In the test the students will perform CPR in a simulated scenario as a first responder. The scenario is: "A male person has collapsed at the railway station." The participant should start CPR as learned in the training. During the CPR a departmental research fellow will observe the study participants and record BLS/AED actions on a scoring sheet.

The investigators will record three cycles of two minutes CPR (with five times 30:2 compression : ventilation intervals, as recommended by the current international resuscitation guidelines). During the three cycles an AED will be delivered and the study participant has to apply the AED and deliver a shock - after three cycles the study terminates.

After the BLS/AED competence testing, both groups will continue the rest of their first aid course together and the first part of the study ends. Three months later, the investigators will repeat the same scenario over the same time interval and record the same parameters. At the end of the second testing, a short feedback will be provided on the BLS/AED competence and further practice will be provided to the students to improve their CPR competence. From this point forward no further data will be collected.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-02-09
• Study First Submitted: 2017-02-09
• Primary Completion: 2017-03-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-05-02
• Study First Posted: 2017-05-05
• Study Completion: 2017-07-07
• Results First Submitted: 2018-11-19
• Status Verified: 2020-01
• Results First Submitted QC: 2020-01-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-01-07
• Results First Posted: 2020-01-13
• Last Update Posted: 2020-01-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 240

Inclusion Criteria

• First year medical students at the University of Bern participating in the course "Erweiterte Erste Hilfe für Studierende der Humanmedizin" with written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

• Students with professional BLS-experience, unable to perform BLS, or missing informed consent will be excluded.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Instructor-led learning	Instructor-led learning	This group will train their technical CPR-skills with supervision by a tutor (either general practitioner or medical student, all trained in CPR teaching)
Self-learning	Self-learning	This group will Train alone without supervision and without communicating with the other participants.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage of Correct Compressions	after first BLS course and 3 months later	The percentage of correct compressions obtained from the printed report from the Laerdal Skill Reporter.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Assessment of the Teaching Method	after first BLS course	The participants assessment of the teaching method. Rated on a Visual Analogue Scale from 0-100mm, where 0mm = completely inefficient, and 100mm = totally efficient, nothing can be done better."
False Hand Placement During Compressions	after first BLS course and 3 months later	False hand placement during compressions.
Time From Start of Test Till Call for Help	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Time measured from the beginning of the test until the participant calls for help.
Time From Start of Test Till First Ventilation	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Time measured from the beginning of the test until the participant makes the first ventilation.
Self-assessment of the Participants BLS Competences Before Test	before first BLS course and 3 months later	The participants assessment of their own BLS competences. Rated on a Visual Analogue Scale from 0-100mm, where 0mm = completely incompetent, no idea what to do, and 100mm = totally competent, cannot be done better.
Average Ventilation Volume	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Ventilation volume from the printed report from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR)
Number of Participants Using Correct Ratio of Compressions:Ventilations	after first BLS course and 3 months later	the relationship between ventilations and compressions from the printed report from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR). Ventilations - relationship 30 compressions and 2 ventilations.
Compression Depth	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Compression depth from the printed report from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR)
Compressions Too Shallow	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Total percentage of Compressions too shallow from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR)
Incomplete Decompression	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Incomplete decompression from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR)
Time From Start of Test Till First Compression	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Time measured from the beginning of the test until the participant makes the first compression.
Time From Start of Test Till First Shock	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Time measured from the beginning of the test until the participant gives the first shock.
Assessment of the Participants BLS Competences After Test	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Assessment of the participant's BLS competence by the study team after test.; Rated on a Visual Analogue Scale from 0-100mm, where 0mm = completely incompetent, no idea what to do, and 100mm = totally competent, cannot be done better.
Number of Ventilations Per Minute	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Number of ventilations per minute from the printed report from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR)
Percentage of Correct Ventilations	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Percentage of correct ventilations from the printed report from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR)
Number of Compressions Per Minute	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Number of compressions per minute from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR)
Compression Frequency	after first BLS course and 3 months later	Compression frequency from the Laerdal Skill Reporter (LSR). Compressions per minute ventilation break included.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital Inselspital; 🇨🇭 Bern, Switzerland