Medical and dental students’ self-reported competence in basic life support with an automated external defibrillator after standardised cardiopulmonary resuscitation education and training: a quantitative cohort study

Background: The annual incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) Worldwide is around 55 per 100,000 inhabitants, with an average of 8% survival rate at hospital discharge. Immediate bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation have proven to be one of the main factors associated with improved survival after OHCA. The rate of bystander CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) vary between countries. Throughout the World, various public health policies and strategic initiatives on bystander CPR and AED education and training have been implemented influencing the number of OHCA survivors and their subsequent quality of life. The aim of our study was to explore medical and dental students’ self-reported competence towards basic life support with an automated external defibrillator (BLS/AED) employment in real OHCA situations after standardised CPR education and training in low-income country. Methods: : Final medical and dental students were surveyed after completion of the BLS/AED course by an anonymous questionnaire composed of questions about demographic data, attitudes toward BLS/AED education and training, alongside students' self-reported competence towards BLS/AED employment in real OHCA situations. Results: : Medical and dental students demonstrated a positive attitude towards BLS/AED education and training (P<0.001). However, there was great uncertainty in willingness to perform BLS/AED in real OHCA situations, mainly due to causing potential harm to the victim (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our study has important implications for the early management of OHCA in low-income country. Although our students exhibited a positive attitude towards BLS/AED education and training, still the majority of students feel less confident in applying BLS/AED in real-life situations, due to the potential to cause greater harm. For the prospective standardised CPR education and training programs we strongly suggest further demystification of potential harms complementary to BLS/AED performance to advance OHCA survivor rates and their subsequent quality of life.