The teaching of basic pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the degree course in medicine and surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation training of medical students in pediatric basic life support (PBLS) courses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 1998, four theoretical and practical PBLS courses were given to 304 fifth and sixth-year medical students. The theoretical classes provided conceptual information about cardiorespiratory arrest and prevention, basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers and practice sessions in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation of infants and older children to groups of 6 to 8 students. At the beginning of the course, students took a theoretical test that consisted of 10 or 20 multiple-choice questions. At the end of the course, the theoretical test was repeated and a practical test of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills for infants and children was given. Students evaluated the course by completion of an anonymous written questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean initial score (out of a maximum of 10) was 6.4 and the mean score on the final theoretical test was 9.6 (p < 0.001). The practical evaluation showed that 95% of the students mastered the skills of the basic pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers. The student evaluation of the course yielded scores (on a scale of 5 points) of 4.4 for the theoretical classes, 4.4 for presentation, 4.7 for practical classes and 4.8 for professors' teaching skills. CONCLUSIONS: The pediatric basic life support courses were a useful method for providing theoretical-practical training to students of medicine and should be an essential part of the pediatric curricula in medical studies.