Presenter:
Michael Gong
Authors:
Michael Gong, Melissa Chan, Simona Bene Watts, Kevin Shi
Poster Abstract:
Introduction
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can double the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest if promptly administered. Although CPR is widely recognized as a life-saving skill, it is not currently mandatory in the British Columbia (BC) secondary school curriculum. A recent study demonstrated that a short medical-student-run compression only CPR (COCPR) workshop was effective in increasing CPR knowledge and comfort performing CPR in rural Vancouver Island secondary schools. The utility of this educational model has not been explored in an urban setting. Given that bystander CPR rates are lower in urban settings compared to rural settings, investigating the efficacy of this model in urban areas remains a subject of interest.
Methods
We sought to determine the effectiveness of delivering a 1.5 hour-long COCPRworkshop that included didactic and practical portions in Vancouver secondary schools. Pre- and post-workshop multiple choice questionnaires were administered to determine knowledge and perceived comfort performing COCPR. In total, 316 grade 9 and 10 students participated.
Results
Following the workshop, there was a 41.6% absolute increase in knowledge scores, a 41.3% absolute increase in the number of students who felt comfortable performing COCPR, and was well received by high school teachers and students.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates the ability to provide low-cost effective COCPR education in an urban setting and provides a framework for future interventions providing CPR education in secondary schools. Our results provide further evidence that medical students can be effective CPR instructors in both urban and rural environments.
