The effect of ASLS instruction on the knowledge and skills of medical students

Background: Stroke is a prominent cause of mortality and imposes a significant burden on the healthcare system. Despite recent advances in stroke management and treatment, such as reducing prehospital delay and using thrombolytic therapies, an increase in stroke patients is anticipated. Proper education for managing stroke patients in prehospital emergency care can improve patient outcomes and decrease disability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS) training on enhancing the prehospital performance of medical caregivers. Methods: Medical interns at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences participated in an ASLS training course consisting of lectures and group sessions. Participants’ performance in stroke knowledge and management was assessed using a test exam before and after the ASLS course, and their scores were compared. Results: The results showed that participants scored 61.30% and 84.13% before and after the ASLS course, respectively, indicating a significant improvement (p = 0.001). However, their improvement was not the same in different stroke education fields, such as epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and management. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the ASLS course can be used as an effective way to improve skills and knowledge in managing stroke patients.