Effect of basic life support training on the knowledge and skills of first aid of first year medical students

Objective: To determine the timing of first aid training in the medical school curriculum and the training method with the 8-hour first aid training given to the first-grade students of the faculty of medicine. Method: The study was conducted prospectively with 168 first year medical students at Faculty of Medicine, Maltepe University in October 2019. An 8-hour course plan consisting of theoretical and practical applications was prepared. Theoretical courses included cardiopulmonary resuscitation, basic life supports, epileptic seizures, heatstroke, aspiration, and drowning issues, while practical applications included cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques, basic life support scenarios, Heimlich's Maneuver and the coma position. Students were sent a link consisting of 17 questions created with Google forms at the beginning and the end of the course. Learned knowledge was measured with the posttest, and pre-and post-training results were compared. Results: A significant increase was found in the rate of correct answers compared to the pre-training period. Even the rate of correct post-test answers increased significantly in all questions; the increase in the questions related to the subjects supported by practical applications was more remarkable. It was found that more incorrect answers were given to questions about environmental injuries. Conclusions: It is possible to improve the public recognition of first aid, even with one day of theoretical and practical training. Thus, adding first aid practical courses to the first-year medical school curriculum and raising awareness at an earlier age will play an essential role in medical education.