training
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Effect of low dose high frequency training on paramedic cognitive skills

01 May 2013
Features
02 May 2013
Volume 3 · Issue 2

Abstract

Background: Paramedics in many parts of the US are required to obtain advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) recertification every two years. However, like other healthcare providers, they may experience problems with retention of this knowledge.

Study objectives: This year-long study examined the difference in ACLS cognitive performance, measured by a modified Megacode, between two groups of paramedics: those who practiced for 10 minutes monthly over 10 months using brief computer-based ACLS scenarios, and those who did not refresh.

Methods: Participants were randomised into the experimental group using computer gaming for a minimum of 10 minutes a month, and a control group that did not. In month 12, all participants took a post-test Megacode.

Results: 27 (79%) of the experimental and 18 (95%) of the control group successfully completed the pre-test Megacode. 38 (72%) of all participants passed both the pre- and post-test Megacodes; three (6%) failed both Megacodes, five (9%) of the experimental group who failed the pretest passed the post-test at month 12. Four participants in the experimental group and three in the control group failed the post-test at month 12.

Conclusions: paramedics recalled ACLS algorithms with or without practice.

Paramedics providing pre-hospital emergency response and rescue services could be called on at any time to perform advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) in the field. The assumption is that they are well versed in ACLS knowledge and skills. American Medical Response, a US-based pre-hospital services provider network, reports that 17% of daily calls require paramedics to evaluate undifferentiated cardiac symptoms on a regular basis, with 1% of those calls involving an actual cardiac arrest. With the relative low frequency of ACLS skill use, paramedics may experience the same problems with retention of ACLS knowledge and skill as other healthcare providers: both knowledge and skill deteriorate rapidly if not used (Hammond et al, 2000; Wayne et al, 2006; Jensen et al, 2009; Hein et al, 2010); Spanos and Patterson, 2010; Lo et al, 2011; Settles, 2011). However, paramedics’ retention of ACLS knowledge and skill is not well documented in the literature (Studneck et al, 2011).

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Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Cognitive skills
Paramedics
Retention