Resuscitation training in small-group setting – gender matters

Abstract

BackgroundWithin cardiopulmonary resuscitation external chest compressions (ECC) are of outstanding importance. Frequent training in Basic Life Support (BLS) may improve the performance, but the perfect method or environment is still a matter of research. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether practical performance and retention of skills in resuscitation training may be influenced by the gender composition in learning groups.MethodsParticipants were allocated to three groups for standardized BLS-training: Female group (F): only female participants; Male group (M): only male participants; Standard group (S): male and female participants. All groups were trained with the standardized 4-step-approach method. Assessment of participants’ performance was done before training (t1), after one week (t2) and eight months later (t3) on a manikin in the same cardiac arrest single-rescuer-scenario. Participants were 251 Laypersons (mean age 21; SD 4; range 18–42 years; females 63%) without previous medical knowledge. Endpoints: compression rate 90-110/min; mean compression depth 38–51 mm. Standardized questionnaires were used for the evaluation of attitude and learning environment.ResultsAfter one week group F performed significantly better with respect to the achievement of the correct mean compression depth (F: 63% vs. S: 43%; p = 0.02). Moreover, groups F and S were the only groups which were able to improve their performance concerning the mean compression rate (t1: 35%; t3: 52%; p = 0.04). Female participants felt more comfortable in the female–only environment.ConclusionsResuscitation training in gender-segregated groups has an effect on individual performance with superior ECC skills in the female-only learning groups.Female participants could improve their skills by a more suitable learning environment, while male participants in the standard group felt less distracted by their peers than male participants in the male-only group.

Implementation of Basic Life Support training in schools: a randomised controlled trial evaluating self-regulated learning as alternative training concept

“…Sopka et al demonstrated that the training environment interacts with learning of different genders. Female medical students improved CPR skills only in the female only group and not in mixed-gender groups [32].…”

Perceptions of dental students on introduction of simulation-based BLS teaching in their course

“…Similar studies cited in the literature are carried out on practicing dentists or on dental graduates (Carvalho et al, 2008) (Laurent et al, 2009). The results of this study shows that one teaching session in basic life support skills is able to enhance dental students' awareness of importance of BLS skills and to increase their self-confidence in performing the procedure (Sopka et al, 2013). The results of the study will useful in developing countries where dental students either receive no teaching of emergency medical skills or where only lecture based teaching of emergency medical skills are done.…”

The Effect of Basic Life Support (BLS) Training in The Knowledge and Skill Level of Community in Sidodadi Village, Lawang, Indonesia

“…In a study conducted by Sopka et al (2015) in the first week, no significant difference was found in the level of knowledge of both sexes, but at the 8 th week, the female group looked superior to the group of male. 10 In the study of Adrian et al (2017) different results were obtained in the comparison to the value of BLS knowledge of women and men. Adrian et al's research state that women's group are only able to do BLS in less time than the men's group.…”