European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECTIVENESS OF BASIC LIFE SUPPORT SKILL TRAINING PACKAGE FOR MEDICAL INTERNS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN KERALA

Althaf A., Retheesh K. H.*, Suni K. Akbar

ABSTRACT

The study was aimed to assess the basic life support skills of interns in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kerala and to evaluate the effectiveness of a skill training package in improving their cognitive skills. Methods: 92 medical students who have recently completed their internship were enrolled in this interventional study. Each skills training session consists of a six-stage process comprising the pre-test, tutor demonstration, followed by explanation, hands-on training practice under supervision and the post-test. Pre and post tests were carried out to assess the basic life support skills of participants. Results: The overall mean test score improved significantly from 1.88 (SD 1.9) in the pre-test to 9.15 (SD 0.85) in the post-test (p < 0.000). McNemar Chi square test was used to compare the critical performance and find the effectiveness of the training package. Conclusion: The pre-test assessment of basic life support skills of the participants revealed the critical lacunae in our medical curriculum. The training package on basic life support skills is highly effective in improving the basic life support skills of medical interns.

Keywords: Basic life support, BLS skills, high quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, emergency response system, bag-mask ventilation.