CPR Skills among Health Students: Semi-Experimental Study

Background and Objectivs: The ability to respond quickly and effectively to a cardiac arrest situation depends on health personnel being competent in the emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which health students acquire and retain CPR psychomotor skills following CPR training. A quasi-experimental design was used. A pre-test, CPR training programme, post-test, and re-test were conducted. CPR psychomotor skills were assessed by observing CPR performance on a skill-meter manikin. The findings showed progress in students CPR psychomotor performance following a 4 h CPR training programme. In pretest, none of the students passed the CPR skills assessment. Students’ skills were improved in post-test, and re-test, which clearly indicated a positive effect of training CPR psychomotor skills. The study findings present strong evidence to support the critical role of CPR training in ensuring that students progress to become competent and confident responders in the event of a cardiac related emergency.