European Journal of Anaesthesiology

Table of Contents - 2006 - Volume 23, Issue 04  


Original Article

Teaching basic life support to nurses

M. Mäkinen a1c1, M. Castrèn a1, T. Tolska a2, J. Nurmi a1 and L. Niemi-Murola a3
a1 Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Uusimaa EMS, Helsinki, Finland
a2 Helsinki University Hospital, Finnish Medical Society Duodecim, Helsinki, Finland
a3 Helsinki University, Helsinki University Hospital, Research and Development Unit for Medical Education, and Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Helsinki, Finland

Article author query
makinen m   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
castren m   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
tolska t   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
nurmi j   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
niemi-murola l   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Summary

Background and objective: Every member of healthcare personnel should be able to perform basic life support including defibrillation (CPR-D). The biggest cost of implementation is training and these costs need to be reduced. The purpose of this randomized study was to evaluate the applicability of distance learning as a method to teach CPR-D. Methods: Nurses (n = 56) working in a geriatric hospital were randomized into three groups. The first group was given the Internet-based CPR-D course and the second was given a traditional, small-group CPR-D course. A third group without specific training in CPR-D served as a control group. An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) was performed 2 weeks after the courses with a manikin patient having a cardiac arrest. Results: The median score of all participants was 31/49 (range 21–38). The reliability of the checklist was adequate (Cronbach alpha 0.77). Nurses receiving traditional CPR-D performed better than those receiving the Internet-based course (median score 34 vs. 28, P < 0.05) and the control group (median score 34 vs. 26, P < 0.0001). Nurses receiving Internet-based course performed similarly as the control group (median score 28 vs. 26, ns). Conclusions: Distance learning cannot substitute for traditional small-group learning.

(Accepted September 27 2005)
(First published online January 27 2006)


Key Words: ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT; TRAINING; NURSES.

Correspondence:
c1 Correspondence to: Marja Mäkinen, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Helsinki University Hospital, Nöykkiönlaaksontie 21, 02340 Espoo, Finland. E-mail: marja.makinen@helsinki.fi; Tel: +35 840 0775 4585; Fax: +35 89 8955 2715