Abstract
Background. A novel, tablet-based auto-mated external defibrillator (AED) simu-lator has been developed to facilitate AED training.Objective. To evaluate if the tablet AED simulator (an AED simulator based on mobile technology (M-AED)) can be suc-cessfully used during cardiopulmonary re-suscitation (CPR) courses. To test medical and dental students’ CPR attitudes, knowl-edge and skills, and evaluate the impact of a one day CPR course.Methods. One hundred and twenty-four medical and dental students of University of Zagreb participated in a basic life sup-port and automated external defibrillator (BLS/AED) course. All students filled out demographic, CPR attitudes and knowl-edge questionnaires before and after the course. Half of the students practised AED skills during the course on a conventional AED trainer (C-AED), and half on M-AED. All underwent assessment of CPR skills after the course with C-AED. Those that used M-AED during training, rated its use.Results. All students successfully complet-ed the assessment of skills after the course, with no significant difference in the num-ber of those who had to be retested be-tween C-AED and M-AED. A significant improvement in CPR attitudes and knowl-edge was noted after the course among all students, with no difference between C-AED and M-AED groups. M-AED as an AED trainer was highly rated.Conclusions. Tablet based AED simula-tors can be effectively utilized during BLS/AED courses as a substitute for conven-tional AED trainers.
Highlights
Custom automated external defibrillator (AED) training pads, which can be applied to all standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manikins, incorporate a specific connector to attach to the tablet, producing a powerful training solution with all features of conventional AED trainers
Our study has shown that the tested medical and dental students of University of Zagreb School of Medicine, regardless of their study year, have poor basic life support and automated external defibrillator (BLS/AED) knowledge
(14) On the positive side, we have demonstrated that a single one-day BLS/ AED course can have dramatic effects on immediate CPR knowledge, skills and attitudes among medical and dental students, which was shown by Sopka and others
Summary
Defibrillation has the potential to save lives of many sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims. [1] Chances of survival are highest if bystanders act immediately after collapse and attempt defibrillation in the electrical or circulatory phase of SCA. [2,3] Public access defibrillation (PAD) programmes have been established to empower bystanders to deliver early defibrillation, but have so far produced ambivalent results. [3,4,5] the evidence to support the benefits of public access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is strong, [3,5,6,7] these lifesaving devices are often used only in a minority of SCA cases, even in areas where they are readily available. [4,7] Education of the public is one of the crucial factors to increase awareness, willingness and knowledge to use AEDs. [8] Mobile technology has been shown to posses a great lifesaving potential for strengthening the Chain of Survival, and can be used for AED education. [9]. [1] They consisted of 4 lectures based on ERC materials (Adult BLS, recovery position, AED, and child BLS), which were followed by demonstrations and skill practice sessions. Students individually attended assessment of their BLS/AED skills by two instructors, who independently rated their performance using written assessment records. Each student was presented with the same adult CPR scenario, and provided with a C-AED when they asked for an AED If they failed to perform crucial lifesaving procedures or carried out potentially harmful actions, students had another opportunity to pass the assessment during the same day with another pair of instructors. Two-way analysis of variance was used to compare average CPR attitudes total scores and knowledge test scores between groups that used C-AED and M-AED, as well as between before and after course measurements. The two-tailed level of significance was set at 0.05, and all statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows, Version 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA)
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