The purpose of our research was to identify the experiences, obstacles, and self-reflective opinions regarding the qualifications of the training providers of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to ...third-cycle primary school students. The effectiveness and success of a training program in basic resuscitation procedures depend on the qualifications and knowledge of the training provider and the type of didactic materials used. The qualitative method was used with 3 non-homogenous focus groups. Training providers (n = 8) from primary health care participated. The selected text was analyzed using a thematic analysis. The focus groups were organized after the training conducted on basic resuscitation procedures to third-cycle primary school students in September and October 2018. Prior to conducting the research we gained approval by the Medical Ethics Committee. Twenty-five codes, 11 categories and 3 themes were designed: Obstacles that are present in conducting training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the effects of training on primary school students and the development of components of prosocial behavior, and systemic responsibility for the qualifications and knowledge of training providers. The research has found that training providers must have the skills and knowledge to motivate the participants of training sessions and encourage them to gain knowledge and skills on resuscitation. They should be familiar with various methods and forms of learning and use relevant teaching materials, so that they can conduct training sessions effectively. Activities are needed to implement minimal criteria for conducting training on resuscitation such as appropriately qualified providers that should follow the European Resuscitation Guidelines, an appropriate pedagogical approach employed by the providers, appropriate equipment and tools, content adjusted to the age of the primary school students, conducting training in small groups, revision of knowledge for training providers and primary school students.
Abstract
Background
The benefits of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for schoolchildren are well known, but the appropriate age for introducing training is still being discussed. This is a very ...important issue, since out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a major public health concern. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of implemented cardiopulmonary resuscitation training on the knowledge of schoolchildren in the last three grades of Slovenian elementary schools and theirs willingness, attitudes, and intentions toward helping others and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The experience of training instructors was also explored.
Methods
A mixed methods research design was employed, using a Separate Pre-Post Samples Design and focus groups. Research was conducted in 15 Slovenian public elementary schools offering cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Focus groups included training instructors and developers. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire from April to June 2018 and analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses. The three focus groups were convened in September and October 2018. Content analysis of the discussion transcriptions was conducted. The sample included 764 schoolchildren aged 12.5–14.5 years before cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and 566 schoolchildren after training. Three non-homogeneous focus groups included eight cardiopulmonary resuscitation instructors.
Results
Significant progress in cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge was noted after training implementation, with the greatest progress seen in the youngest age group (mean age 12.5). The greatest increase after training was seen for the variables Attitude toward helping others (
p
= 0.001) and Self-confidence (
p
= 0.001). Analysis of the focus groups yielded two themes: (a) the effects of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training on schoolchildren, and (b) the systemic responsibility of the school system and professional bodies.
Conclusions
Significant progress in schoolchildren’s cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge after training was established. Early introduction of training is recommended. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge raises awareness of the responsibility to help others and increases self-confidence to provide bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It can be concluded that early cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for children is crucial. It should be a mandatory part of school curricula in those countries where cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not yet mandatory.
The primary aim was to describe differences, if any, between learned and practiced competences among a convenience sample of Italian and Slovenian nursing staff; the secondary aim was to validate an ...instrument capable of measuring internationally such competences.
The distance between competences learned and those practiced as a source of under- or over-education has not been investigated to date at the international level.
A explorative observational investigation was performed in 2019 by involving 426 Italian and Slovenian members of the nursing staff working in medical and surgical departments. The study was conducted according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Members of the nursing staff (health care assistants, general nurses, specialist nurses and advanced nurses) were invited to complete the Nursing Competence Instrument based on the European Federation of Nursing Association’s four categories of the nursing care continuum, from health care assistants to advanced practice nurses.
The construct validity of the Nursing Competence Instrument indicated the presence of four identifiable dimensions (internal consistency ranging from 0.82 to 0.93). On average, the scores of the competences practiced were interestingly slightly higher than those learned among general care nurses. In contrast, health care assistants, specialist nurses and advanced practice nurses, reported to have learned importantly slightly lower as that practiced.
At the overall levels, nurses tend to apply what they had been thought; additionally, all profiles seem to rate at low ranges both the competences practiced and those learned, suggesting the need to maximise nursing competences, both in the classroom and in the daily practice. Mapping the degree of competences acquired in education, as applied in the clinical practice, might assist clinical nurses, nurse educators and health care managers to identify areas at need of improvement. Moreover, mapping differences (if any) across countries might have research, managerial and educational implications.
A low proportion of bystanders in Slovenia are willing to provide resuscitation to people experiencing cardiac arrest. We measured knowledge acquired after cardiopulmonary resuscitation training ...among Slovenian children in the final three grades of primary school.
This pre- and post-test cohort study included 566 schoolchildren aged 12-15 years. From April to May 2018, we administered a 15-item questionnaire to children in 15 primary schools, to assess the effects of theoretical and practical cardiopulmonary resuscitation training on their knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation at 1-2 months after training. Data were processed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses.
A significantly greater level of post-training knowledge was noted in all three equally sized school grade groups (p=0.001). The youngest group (mean age 12.5 years) exhibited the greatest increase in knowledge, with test scores increasing by an average 2.65 (range 0-15) points. Age (p=0.001), body mass index (p=0.037), female sex (p=0.006), and previous resuscitation training (p=0.024) were significant independent predictors of pre-training knowledge level. Sex was the only predictor significantly influencing knowledge levels after training (p=0.002); girls scored up to 0.7 points higher than boys, both before and after training.
Among Slovenian schoolchildren aged 12-15 years, a significantly improved level of theoretical knowledge was demonstrated after cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. The introduction of cardiopulmonary training may be most effective in children aged 12.5 years (seventh graders). Early, compulsory resuscitation training might reduce social barriers to performing resuscitation, which may eventually translate into better post-cardiac arrest outcomes.
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