Evaluation of basic life support orientation program for first year medical students; scopes for further improvement

Abstract

Context: Basic life support (BLS) is an important life saving skill which at least all health care workers should be aware of but knowledge of BLS is poor even among medical students. Aims: The aim of our study was to orient the first year medical students regarding BLS and to evaluate the workshop from students ’ perspectives to make it better in future. Settings and Design: Seventy three first year medical students were included in the study. Materials and Methods: An anonymous, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire designed for evaluating a training program was prepared. The questionnaire included 25 items divided into 5 parts i.e. learning experience, reactionnaire, structure of the program, trainer’s evaluation and open ended questions. Statistical analysis used: Responses of the students were expressed as percentages. Since the responses were there on Likert scale, correlations were measured using Spearman correlation test. Results: The students understood the importance BLS and learned the required skills to perform BLS after the orientation program. Overall the program was rated as excellent by 64.4% of students and good by 27.4% students. In addition to strengths and weaknesses of the workshop, students also suggested the various methods to improve such sessions in future. Conclusions: Though the current orientation program was rated as good on most of the parameters but still the scope exists for further improvement and students ’ feedback will go a long way in improving this program in future. Key messages: Basic life support (BLS) orientation program is of great importance for fresh M.B.B.S. entrants. The students ’ viewpoint and feedback will help in improving such sessions in future. Keywords: Feedback, Orientation program, Basic life support.