Effects of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education Through Compound Method on Knowledge and Performance of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel in Golestan, Iran

More than half of all sudden cardiac arrest cases occur out of hospital, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the responsibility of emergency medical personnel in these cases. Therefore, it is essential for them to have the knowledge and competence to perform the resuscitation. This study aims to determine the effect of CPR education on the knowledge and performance of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.                                                                    Methods and Materials: 

In this quasi-experimental study, 46 emergency medical personnel who were selected through optimum allocation of stratified random sampling were studied to assess their knowledge and performance before and 14 days after the education. The training was implemented in groups (6 hours of theory and 6 hours of practical training on moulage). At the end of the first session, the pamphlets were provided to all subjects. The data collection tools included a researcher-made questionnaire on demographics as well as 20 questions to assess knowledge, and a 31-item checklist for observing CPR performance. Face as well as content validities were assessed, and test-retest as well as interrater methods were used for reliability of the tools.

The mean and standard deviation of knowledge scores were 13.06±2.37 as well as 18.19±1.55 and performance scores 20.04±2.8 as well as 28.63±2.8 before and after the intervention respectively, indicating the positive effects of education on knowledge and performance (p <0.001).                                              

The CPR education had significant effects on improving knowledge and performance of the subjects. Thus, it seems necessary to hold updated courses on CPR and allocate more time for practical training in teams.