External Cardiac Massage Training of Medical Students: A Randomized Comparison of Two Feedback Methods to Standard Training.

Background: The most recent recommendations support learning of external cardiac massage (ECM) through feedback devices.

Objectives: The objective was to compare the effects on immediate and 3-month retention of ECM technical skills when using feedback devices compared with training without feedback as part of a half-day training session in medical students.

Methods: This randomized study was performed using the Resusci Anne QCPR manikin in 64 medical students. We compared the quality of ECM with nonfeedback training in the control group (group 1) vs. 2 feedback learning methods (group 2, PocketCPR and group 3, Skill Reporter each used with visual display available to the trainee). At the end of the training session and 3 months later, students performed chest compressions blindly during a 2-min assessment session. The median compression score was the primary outcome for assessing immediate and long-term retention.

Results: Regarding immediate retention, the median compression score was significantly lower in group 1 (23%) than in groups 2 (81%) and 3 (72%) (p < 0.05) with no difference between the 2 feedback methods. At 3 months, mean compression scores remained high but not significantly different between the 2 feedback groups.

Conclusion: The use of a feedback device used for ECM training improves the quality of immediate retention of technical ECM skills compared with traditional teaching in medical students. At 3 months, the 2 groups with feedback retained a high level of performance. No significant difference could be demonstrated between the 2 feedback methods.