Basic and immediate paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation training in medical students

Background: To analyse the effectiveness of Paediatric Basic Life Support (PBLS) and Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS) courses to train medical students in paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods: Eighteen courses (13 in PBLS and 5 in PILS) were delivered to 1214 medical students. Two theory tests and one practical test were performed. Students filled in an anonymous questionnaire after each course. Results: The mean scores (out of 20) in the theory tests of the PBLS course were 11.4 before the course, and 19.2 upon completion (P<0.0001). Infant BLS skills were achieved by 98.4% of students, and children BLS skills by 97% of them. The mean scores (out of 30) in the PILS courses were 17.3 before the course, and 29.1 at the end of the course (P<0.0001). PBLS skills were achieved by 99% of students and PILS skills by 98.3% of them. The scores (out of 5) in the anonymous questionnaire were: theory classes, 4.5; teaching methods, 4.5; practice sessions, 4.7; instructor teaching skills, 4.8; and coordination of theory and practice and between instructors, 4.7. There were no significant differences between basic and intermediate CPR courses. Conclusions: PBLS and PILS courses are useful methods for delivering theory and practice training to medical students, and should be mandatory in the paediatric curriculum of medical studies. Resumen: Objetivos: Analizar la utilidad de cursos de reanimación cardiopulmonar básica (RCPB) e intermedia (RCPI) para la formación de los estudiantes del grado de medicina. Métodos: Se impartieron 18 cursos (13 de RCPB y 5 de RCPI) a 1.214 estudiantes de medicina. Se realizaron 2 exámenes teóricos uno inicial y otro final, y una evaluación práctica. Después del curso los estudiantes realizaron una encuesta anónima. Resultados: En el curso de RCPB la puntuación en el examen inicial fue de 11,4 sobre 20 y 19,2 en el examen final (p<0,0001). Un 98,4% de los estudiantes del curso de RCPB adquirieron suficiente práctica en la RCP del lactante y 97 en la RCP del niño. En el curso de RCPI la puntuación en el examen inicial fue de 17,3 sobre 30 y 29,1 en el examen final (p