DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-951043/v1
Although millions of healthcare providers and lay providers are trained globally in CPR each year, there are major gaps in delivering adequate medical emergency care such as poor quality CPR in the hospitals or none performance of CPR in out of hospital settings for people with cardiac arrest.
This systematic review aim to highlight the effect of training on knowledge and skills retention as well as the effect of different methods of training on knowledge and skills
The review used six online databases: Scopus, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, Medline and reviewed reference citations for additional studies. Systematic analysis was use in excluding articles from the database by the latest 2015 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, known as Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) for the evaluation of knowledge and skills retention.
A total of 71,671 possible articles were registered in six databases, with 331 articles found meeting eligibility criteria. And only 20 were finally included that met all the qualifying criteria for this systemic analysis. Most research used multi-choice questionnaires to assess retention of both knowledge and skills. From the pretest to the posttest, studies have shown that knowledge or skill rates differ and decrease from 6 weeks to 2 years after training. Between the reviewed papers, significant variations in retaining knowledge and skills were found between instructor-led training and other forms of teaching methods.
Between the pre-test and post-test outcomes, knowledge and skills have shown a substantial overall improvement in acquisition and retention. However, skills were observed to decay faster than knowledge. Skills start to decay as early as 2 weeks whereas knowledge retention start to decline on average between 1 month and 6 month after BLS/CPR training. Most of the articles showed that other forms of teaching methods are also as effective as the instructor led/traditional teaching methods in knowledge and skills levels among nurses. Therefore, future research should concentrate on the ideal timeline needed after initial training for the re-certification of the BLS/CPR.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the primary management for any patient with cardiac arrest. Numerous research centered on the ability of each trainee to apply the learned skills and knowledge gained through training over time while a patient undergoes CPR ((1). After the first training course, participants usually received CPR certification. Subsequently, they will need to renew their certification every two years to remain certified and to retain or update their knowledge and skills in performing CPR (2, 3). However, only a handful of trainees are typically able to practice their CPR knowledge and skills in actual clinical situations. Therefore, acquired knowledge and skills are taught, lost, and re-learned after two years. CPR training's primary aim is to show how a learner can successfully resuscitate patients with cardiac arrest by combining applied cognitive knowledge, psychomotor skills, and interpersonal interaction in real hospital settings. Using the skills they learned while confronting a resuscitation situation, learners will develop self-confidence (4). Although the ability of nurses to undertake CPR could be a crucial indicator of cardiac arrest patient survival, there is convincing evidence suggesting that registered nurses across continents lack the ability to perform proper CPR. It is clear from the literature that the skills of the CPR cannot be easily acquired or retained by nurses (5).
Nevertheless, CPR seeks to save a life; therefore, there is a robust link between the degree of CPR knowledge and skills training received by healthcare professionals and the result of survival outcome among cardiac arrest patients (6). As a critical determinant of improved CPR outcome, nurses' knowledge is significantly correlated with their level of CPR training (7). The results of a study in Tanzania showed a significant difference in the overall performance on testing knowledge and skills between those who had and had not performed CPR in the past, with median test scores of 40%(IQR 28–54) and 26%(IQR 16–42) respectively (p = 0.001) (8). A similar cross sectional study in Nigeria demonstrated there is statistically significant changes of theoretical knowledge of CPR among clinical medical students with past CPR experience compared to those without CPR experience (P < 0.001) (9 ). Similarly, a number of variables that can also affect the level of acquisition and retention of the knowledge and skills of nurses have been demonstrated, such as age (10, 11) gender (12, 13, 14) academic qualification(15), clinical experience (16, 17, 18) timing of training (19), methods of training (20, 21) and primary working unit of nurses (22).
CPR training is crucial to nurses, and undeniably the methods of delivery could affect the level of retention of knowledge and skill of CPR among nurses (23). Instructor led training method, otherwise, refer to as traditional CPR training, have been practice for over 40 years. Nonetheless, there is evidence to show that this method of CPR training has failed to achieve the desired result in the retention of knowledge and skills level delivered to both lay people and health care providers (20). There is growing evidence that supports the application of alternative methods instead of traditional method of CPR training, such as self-directed training methods with practical skills modules (11, 24, 25) simulation method (26, 27), concept mapping (28) as well as online computers or CD video (24 ,29 ).
Effective resuscitation training for busy health care providers may be a challenge. Time and cost for the instructor led CPR, and AED training certification may discourage individuals, private and public organizations from participating in CPR courses and obtaining requisite skills (25). Furthermore, if the instructors did not teach CPR course in a uniform way, this may contribute to the poor retention of CPR skills among students (30). Some studies have shown significant differences in effectiveness between the instructor-led training and others such as self-directed method (5, 11, 24), while, others reported there was no statistically significant difference on performance total score (skill score) between two groups (21, 31, 32, 33).
The purpose of this systematic review is therefore to examine the present evidence for the level of acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills of nurses in CPR and the implications of training strategies towards nurses’ CPR knowledge and skills. Most resuscitation organizations recommended a CPR refresher training after two year. It is not clear, however whether CPR-trained nurses can sustain an appropriate level of knowledge and skills suitable for patient care over the two-year intervals. Yet, more frequent practical training would appear to increase the workload on both trainees and instructors at a period when resources and time are required to train healthcare professionals.
This systematic analysis was performed in conjunction with the latest 2015 AHA guidelines, as translated from the evidentiary review phase of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), defined as the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). These included studies from January 2013 to December 2019. The research used six online databases: Scopus, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, Medline and reviewed reference citations for additional studies.
The criteria followed for this systematic analysis are as follows: CPR training articles on knowledge and skills applicable to nursing, English articles written and available in full text, both observational and interventional studies, articles with a shared sample audience of nurses and nursing, and keyword articles as illustrated in the table below. Keywords included in this study were: "knowledge OR awareness OR information" OR "skills OR ability OR expertise" AND "nurses OR nursing" AND "cardiopulmonary resuscitation OR CPR OR basic life support OR BLS OR resuscitation."(Table 1)
2.2 Literature selection (screening / eligibility)
Journals not meeting requirements such as those with an irrelevant title, not published in the English language, summary journal, over six-year publishing duration, as well as literature such as newspaper article, conference or conference text, book, policy report, etc. were all excluded using the filtering method process. From the selected items, the reference lists in each article were checked.
Knowledge OR Awareness OR Information |
---|
OR |
Skills OR Ability OR Expertise |
AND |
Nurses OR Nursing |
AND |
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation OR CPR OR basic life support OR BLS OR resuscitation |
First, two reviewers reviewed title, overlapping subjects, and irrelevant domain subject and information focused on inclusion and exclusion criteria (SA and LPY). The second review team (SA and KT) then screened articles abstracts, followed by full articles content.
Six databases, hand search and references reported a total of 71,671 potentials articles and excluded 59,909 based on inclusion and exclusion criteria (Figure 1). Of 11,702 articles have been excluded, where 6,810 were irrelevant, 1,150 with irrelevant sample populations, and 3,411 with duplicated information. This screening process yielded 331 articles that matched the eligibility requirements and was further screened for the full text. Of the total, 208 did not relate to CPR knowledge and skills, and 103 articles did not specifically identify the sample group, such as a mixed population were excluded. Therefore, 20 studies met all qualifying requirements for this systematic study.
Figure 1. Flowchart of the review process.
A total of 13 articles were reported on knowledge among nurses in the review. Four of the articles are RCTs, while three consists of quasi-experimental designs, four articles use prospective repeated measures, and, two use descriptive cross-section studies. Three out of the 13 articles assessed respondents at one point in time (29, 34, 29) two examined at two points in time on each question (36, 37) and the other eight papers examined more than two points in time (11, 13, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41). A total of 18 articles reported on the skills of nurses. Six of the articles are RCTs, eight are quasi-experimental and four are prospective repeated measures. Only one article out of the 18 articles assessed respondents at one point in time (29), whereas two articles examined respondents at two points in time (36, 37) and the remaining other 15 papers examined more than two points in time (11, 13, 24.26, 27,, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46).
Several types of knowledge questionnaire were used in all 13 papers to collect data for the knowledge of participants. Five studies used the AHA questionnaire (13, 26, 28, 29.39), seven studies used self-constructed questionnaires (11, 34, 35,37, 38, 40, 41 ) and one study used Resuscitation Council of South Africa (RSCA) qusetionnaire (36). Checklist was used for skill test by evaluators in 11 out 18 articles to records the skill scores during data collection by using the Laerdal manikins. Four articles used skill meter attached to the manikin (26, 39, 44, 46) and the remaining three articles used video to records the scores of the participants (27, 41, 45).
A 2015 guideline recommendation used the current edition of AHA definitions for evidence level and guidance class. Evidence level is as follows; 'LOE A' is high-quality evidence from more than one RCTs; 'LOE B (randomized)' is moderate-quality evidence from one or more RCTs; 'LOE B-NR (nonrandomized)' is moderate-quality evidence from one or more well-designed, well-executed nonrandomized studies or observational studies; "LOE C-LD (limited data)' is a randomized or nonrandomized observational study with limitations of design or execution; "LOE C- EO (expert opinion)" is a consensus of expert opinion based on clinical experience (.47).
The recommendation class is the strength of treatment or training that benefits patients or learners and graded as follows; for example "Class 1 (strong)", such as strategy A is recommended/indicated in preference to treatment B the benefit is three folded than the risk; "Class IIa (moderate)", such as strategy A is possibly recommended/indicated in choice to treatment B the benefit is two folded than the risk; "Class IIb (weak)", such as effectiveness is unknown/unclear/uncertain or not well-established than B or the benefit is equal or more than the benefits; "Class III No Benefit / Moderate", such as strategy A equals B and equal benefits. "Class III harm / strong strategy A harms B more than the benefit (48).
Table 2
Summary of levels of evidence and class of recommendation in training CPR.
Class of recommendation (COR) | Level of Evidence | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level A | Level B - R | Level B-NR | Level C- LD | Level C- EO | |
Class 1 (strong) | |||||
Class 11a (moderate) | (Saiboon et al., 2016) 11 | ||||
Class 11b (weak) | (Hernández-Padilla et al., 2015)41 (Serwetnyk et al.,2015)29 (Anderson et al.,2019)46 (Aqel & Ahmad, 2014)26 | (Saramma et al., 2016)37 (Mardegan et al., 2015)24 (Toubasi etal.,2015)42 (Terzi et al., 2017)43 (Rajeswaran et al.,.2018) 13 | (Munezero et al., 2018)36 (Niles et al., 2017)44 (Chen et al., 2018)27 (Sullivan et al., 2015) 45(Bajracharya &Nagarkoti.,2016)34 (Aliyari et al., 2019)28 (Shahrakivahed et al., 2015)38 (Partiprajak & Thongpo, 2016)39 | ||
Class 111 No benefit (moderate) | (Yılmaz & Simsek, 2019)40 | (Vural et al., 2017)36 | |||
Class 111 Harm (strong) | |||||
Note: LOE B – R (Randomized), LOE B – NR (Not randomized), LOE C- LD (Limited data), and LOE C-EO (Expert Opinion) |
191 Table 3 Summary of articles included in the review. | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knowledge among nurses following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. | |||||||||
Study (year published) | Hosp. setting / Duration | Study design/ Study population | Teaching method | Participants Retention rate | Evaluation methods | Pretest score | Posttest score | Follow-up | |
(Serwetnyk et al., 2015) | Tertiary/1 day | RCT Registered Nurse (n=220) | Instructor-led (control n=46) vs Online computer base (Intervention n=45) vs HeartCode (Intervention n=79) | 77% | AHA BLS for Healthcare Provider posttest (Versions C and D for remediation)/ Online posttest/ Virtual practice and testing using eSimulation technology | Not reported | Heart code 79% Pass BLS online 95% Pass Instructor led 98% Pass (p=002) | Not reported | |
(Aqel & Ahmad, 2014) | University student 1 day | RCT Student nurses (n=124) | Instructor led group as (Control Low fidelity simulation) Intervention (High fidelity simulation) | 72% | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (American Heart Association [AHA], 2012). | Mean score for Control is 5.93±1.15 Intervention is 5.78±1.18 | Mean score after training Control is 11.22 ±0.90 Intervention is 12.67±1.06 | At three months Control is 10.0±1,44 Intervention is 12.2±1.14 P≤.001 | |
(Saiboon et al., 2016) | Tertiary/7 days | RCT/ (TCI 39 nurses & SIV 41 nurses). Registered Nurse (n=80) | Instructor-led (TCI) vs Self-directed (SIV) | 30% | Multiple choice questions on AED knowledge (self-constructed) | Mean score for Instructor-led (TCI) 10.87 Self-directed (SIV) 10.37 (P=0.29) | After training; mean score for Instructor led TCI 13.22 Self-directed SIV 12.91 (P=0.52) | At six months; mean score Instructor led TCI 11.13 Self-directed SIV 12.95 ( P=0.03) | |
(Hernández-Padilla et al., 2015) | university/1 day | RCT Student nurses (n=177) | Instructor-led ( control n= 89) & student-directed (Intervention n= 88) training | 87% | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (self-constructed) | Instructor-led 65% Student-directed 64% | After training Instructor- led 90% Student-directed 99% | At three months Instructor-led 80% Student-directed 99% (P<0.001) | |
(Shahrakivahed et al., 2015) | Tertiary/ 3 days | Quasi –experimental Registered nurses (n=140) | Instructor led | 98% | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (self-constructed) | Mean score 21±85.9 | After training Mean score 41± 25.12 | After three months Mean score of 5.45±36.14 P=0.001 | |
(Rajeswaran et al., 2018) | Tertiary/1 day | Quasi-experimental Registered Nurse (n=154) | Instructor-led | 55% | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (American Heart Association [AHA], 2010). | Mean score 48.15±17.02 | Mean score after training 74.16 ±13.24 P <0.001 | Mean score at six months 59.7 | |
(Aliyari et al., 2019) | Tertiary Sch. of nursing/ 1 day | Quasi-experimental Student nurses/ (n=57) | Instructor-led & Concept map | 100% participated | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (American Heart Association [AHA], 2015). | Lecture methods (Mean score =5.82) Concept map (Mean score =6.6.) | After training Lecture method (Mean score 17.24) Concept map (Mean score 17.85) | After one week Lecture method 17.75 Concept map 18.35 After one month Lecture method 16,89 Concept map 16.67 (P>0.05) | |
(Partiprajak & Thongpo, 2016) | University student 1 day | Prospective repeated measure Student nurses (n=30) | Instructor-led | 100% | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (Thailand Heart Association) using [AHA], 2010). | Mean score was 15..27±0.46, only 10% Pass | Mean score after training was 22.97±0.28, all 100% Pass | Mean score at three months 18.27±0.38, only 30% Pass P=0.001 | |
(Yılmaz & Simsek, 2019) | Tertiary/ 1 day | Prospective repeated measures Registered Nurse (n=287) | Instructor-led | 88.2% | Self-constructed Questionnaire | 43.2% pass | 99% pass (p<0.001) | Not reported | |
(Munezero et al., 2018) | Tertiary/1day | Prospective repeated measures Registered Nurse (n=32) | Instructor-led | 100% | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (Resuscitation council of south Africa [RCSA], 2015). | Mean score of 53.8±11.3 | Mean score of 82.5±6.52 (P<0.001) | Not reported | |
(Saramma et al. 2016) | Tertiary/10 days | Prospective Repeated-measures Registered nurse (n=206) | Instructor-led training | 80% | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (self-constructed) | Mean score of 26.36±7.38 (>60%) | Mean score of 36.35±4.36 (>60%) P=0.001 | Not reported | |
(Vural et al., 2017) | Tertiary/ 1 day | Descriptive cross- sectional study Student nurses (n=401) | nil | nil | Self-constructed but in line with 2010 American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines and its 2015 update | Mean score was 64.62±17.84 out of 100 point | Not reported | Not reported | |
(Bajracharya & Nagarkoti, 2016) | Tertiary/1day | Descriptive cross sectional studies Registered Nurse (n=50) | Nil | 91% | Multiple choice questions on CPR knowledge (Self-constructed Questionnaire) | Only 32% of the respondents have moderate and 2% with adequate knowledge of CPR, while 66% have inadequate knowledge | Not reported | ||
Skills among nurses following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. | |||||||||
The first author (year published) | Hosp. setting / Duration | Study design/ Study population | Teaching method | Participants Retention rate | Evaluation methods | Pretest | Posttest | Follow-up | |
(Sullivan et al., 2015) | Tertiary/1 day | RCT (Control group n=18 & Intervention group; 2M n=15, 3M n=16, 6M n=17 Registered Nurse (n=66) | Instructor led | 92% | Checklist & video recording evaluator using skill recording manikin | Not reported | Not reported | % of outcome in participants passing skills test in 20 seconds Control 5% 6 months 23% 3 months 66% 2 months73% P<0.001 | |
(Saiboon et al., 2016) | Tertiary/7 days | RCT (TCI 39 nurses & SIV 41 nurses). Registered Nurse (n=80) | Instructor-led (TCI) vs Self-directed (SIV) | 30% | Skill using manikins (Maximum score 11) | Mean score Instructor-led (TCI) 4.05 Self-directed (SIV) 3.71 P=0.58 | Mean score after training TCI 9.57 SIV 9.55 (P=0.95) | Mean score at six months TCI 7.27 SIV 7.68 (P=0.47) | |
(Serwetnyk et al., 2015) | Tertiary/1 day | RCT Registered Nurse (n=220) | Instructor-led (control n=46) vs Online computer base (Intervention n=45) vs HeartCode (Intervention n=79) | 77% | Checklist by the evaluator for skill using manikins | Not reported | Heart code 82% pass BLS online 78% Pass Instructor-led 89% Pass (p=.347) | Not reported | |
(Aqel & Ahmad, 2014) | 1 day Nursing school | RCT Student nurses (n=124) | Instructor-led Control Low fidelity simulation) Intervention (High fidelity simulation) | 72% | Checklist by the evaluator with skill recording manikins | Not reported | Mean score after training Control is 11.58±1.63 Intervention is 13.13±1.01 P≤.001 | Mean score at three months control is 10.31±1.88 and intervention is 12.80±1.44 P≤.001 | |
(Hernández-Padilla et al., 2015) | university/1 day | RCT Student nurses (n=177) | Instructor-led & student-directed training | 87% | Checklist by two evaluators for skill using manikins & video recording | % of students achieve competency i.e. pass Instructor-led 20% Student-directed 20% | % of students achieve competency i.e. pass Instructor-led 54% Student-directed 80% | At three months, % of students achieve competency i.e. pass Instructor-led 39% Student-directed 82% (p<0.001) | |
(Anderson et al., 2019) | Tertiary/1 year | RCT Registered Nurse (n=244)/ | Instructor-led | 68% | Checklist by evaluator using skill meter/recorded manikins | Baseline 9/167 5% Pass (P=0.38) | Not reported | At monthly 15/26, 58% Pass Every three months 12/46, 26% Pass (P=0.008) Every six months 10/47, 21% Pass (P=0.002) At 12 months 7/48, 15% Pass (P=0.001) | |
(Niles et al., 2017) | Tertiary/1 day | Quasi-experimental Registered Nurse (n=37) | Instructor-led | 60% | Checklist by two evaluators with skill meter recording manikins | Baseline (n=37) 5% Pass | Not reported | At 6 months(n=28) 39% Total compliant At 12 months(n=22) 54% Total compliant P=0.218 | |
(Chen et al., 2018) | Tertiary (university Sch. of Nursing) / 3 months | Quasi-experimental Student nurses (n=39) Experimental group n=19 Control group n=20 | Instructor-led (higher simulated training is the Experimental group, and low simulated training is the Control group) | 100% | Checklist by two evaluator using skill manikins and video recording | Time to start compression Control group 41 seconds Experimental group 40 seconds (p>0.05) Time of defibrillating Control group 222 seconds Experimental group 221 seconds (p>0.05) | Not reported | At three months Time to start the Compression Control group 32 seconds Experimental group 20 seconds (P<0.001) Time to defibrillate Control group 204 seconds Experimental group 167 seconds (P<0.001) | |
(Mardegan et al., 2015) | Tertiary/ 1 day | Quasi- experimental Two groups; Novice nurses (n=187) & Practice nurse (n=107) | Two teaching methods Instructor led & Video (CD)-learning | 45% | Checklist by one evaluator for skill using manikin | Not reported | At First week (Video n=144 & Instructor led n=150) Novice nurses n=187 Video(CD) 52.7% pass Instructor led 55.2% pass P=0.736 Practicing nurses n=107 Video(CD) 62.3% pass Instructor led 74.1% pass P=0.190 | At Eight weeks (Video n=78 & Instructor led n=63) Novice nurses n=106 Video(CD) 41.8% pass Instructor led 39.2% pass P=0.785 Practicing nurses n=34 Video(CD) 47.8% pass Instructor led 33.3% pass P=0.411 | |
(Toubasi et al., 2015) | Tertiary /1 day | Quasi-experimental Registered Nurse (n=52) | Instructor-led | 30 participated in making 58% | Checklist by two evaluators for skill using manikins | Skill mean score is 4.7± 2.94 | Not reported | After one month Skill mean score is 7.5±1.7 P=0.05 | |
(Terzi et al., 2017) | tertiary/ 1 day | Quasi-experimental Registered Nurse (n= 404) | Instructor-led | 100% | 25 MCQ Questionnaire only | Overall knowledge and skills results show that pretest score is 47.88% pass and posttest result is 81.74 % pass (P<0.05) | Not reported | ||
(Rajeswaran et al., 2018) | Tertiary/1 day | Quasi-experimental Registered Nurse (n=154) | Instructor-led | 55% | Checklist by two evaluators for skill using manikins | Mean score at baseline 18.30±28.97 | Mean score after training 79.50±29.89 | Mean score at six months 54.00±28.69 | |
(Aliyari et al., 2019) | Tertiary Sch. of nursing/ 1 day | Quasi-experimental Student nurses/ (n=57) | Instructor-led & Concept mapping | 100% participated | Checklist by one evaluator for skill using face to face interview only | Mean score at baseline Lecture method 2.2±2.35 Concept map 2.14±2.3 (P=0.91) | Mean score after training Lecture method 25.03±3.04 Concept map 26.64±2.64 (P=0.03) | Not reported | |
(Shahrakivahed et al., 2015) | Tertiary/ 3 days | Quasi-experimental Registered nurses (n=140) | Instructor-led | 98% | Checklist by two evaluators for skill using manikins | Mean score at pretest was 21±5.58 | After training, mean test scores was 41±12.25 had excellent skills | At three months mean score was 5.45±14.36 had good skills P=0.004 | |
Saramma et al. (2016) | Tertiary/10 days | Prospective Repeated-measures Registered nurse (n=206 | Instructor-led simulation | 80% | Not reported | Mean score of 40.39±4.32 (>80%) (P=0.001) | After two years mean score of 3.59±1.99 of certified nurse's vs. 3.19±1.93 of non-certified nurse’s P=0.426 | ||
(Munezero et al., 2018) | Tertiary/1day | Prospective repeated measures Registered Nurse (n=32) | Instructor-led | 100% | 15 point skill question Checklist by one evaluator for skill using manikins | Mean score of 46±17.01 | Mean score of 81.5±6.79 (P=0.02) | Not reported | |
(Yılmaz & Simsek, 2019) | Tertiary/ 1 day | Prospective repeated measures Registered Nurse (n=287) | Instructor-led | 95.5% | Checklist by one evaluator for skill using manikins | The result shows a combine overall knowledge and skills scores of pretest 43.2% and posttest score 99% pass P<0.001 | |||
(Partiprajak & Thongpo, 2016) | 1 day | Prospective repeated measures Student nurses (n=30) | Instructor-led | 100% | Checklist by1 evaluator using skill recording manikins | Not reported | After training mean score was 11.67±7.91 | At three months mean score was 8.33±4.61 (P=0.451) |
13 articles in this systematic analysis of study recorded knowledge outcomes after CPR training. The research population comprises of registered nurses (eight articles) and student nurses (five articles). Ten studies have been conducted in the tertiary hospital setting and three in the educational environment, such as the university nursing school. An average of one-day training, consisting of either pre-test, post-test, or follow-up evaluation methods, was carried out in 10 out of 13 studies included in this analysis. It should be noted that the quality of each article in the review in terms of level of evidence (LOE) and a class of recommendation (COR) is rated independent of each other, therefore any COR can be paired with any LOE. None of the 13 articles fulfill the Level A LOE requirements. Likewise, none of the 13 studies come under COR Guideline Class I (strong benefits) and Class III (strong harm).
In this review, knowledge level acquisition and retention studies have a total sample size of 1,958 respondents with a minimum sample size of 30 and a maximum sample size of 401. Eleven of the 13 studies utilized instructor-led teaching methods. Nine articles had more than 75% of the response rate of participants. Similarly, out of 13 articles in this review, 11 reported sex and age except studies by Shahrakivahed et al., (2015) and Vural et al., (2017). Women made up the majority of respondents in 12 studies except in a study by Aliyari et al., (2019). Among the eight studies that involves registered nurses’ population, only two studies included majority of graduates among professional nurses, and the other six are all having diploma certificates. Years of nursing practice in eight studies range from 2 to 25 years.
A significant progress in knowledge scores from pretest compared to posttest was found in the four studies with P value of <0.05, such as in Rajeswaran et al., (2018) recorded a mean total score of 48.15% in pretest rise to 74.16% posttest and decline to 59.7% at the end of six months (P<0.001); Saramma et al., (2016) reported knowledge performance at pretest as 35.5% and posttest as 93.4% (P=0.001); Munezero et al., (2018) also recorded a knowledge average score of 53.8% at pretest and 82.5% at posttest (P=0.001); Yılmaz & Simsek (2019) marked a combined overall rating of 43.2% for pretest knowledge and skills and 99% for posttest (P<0.001). It can be concluded that there was increased in knowledge after the training.
Another three studies measured the efficacy of self-directed (video, CD/DVD, simulation) versus instructor-led teaching methods, showing an improvement in the score differences between pretest and posttest and/or follow-up test scores. Saiboon et al., (2016) reported a six-month follow-up with a significant difference in comparison between the Instructor-led group scoring 11.13±2.70 compared to 12.95±2.26 of the self-instructor video (P=0.03). Similarly, Hernández-Padilla et al., (2015) study also showed that there were significant variances in the knowledge score obtained during the instructor-led pretest at 65% and 90% after training and 80% after three months. Likewise, the student-directed knowledge score obtained at pretest was at 64% and 99% at posttest and 99% at the end of three months (P<0.001). Aliyari et al., (2019) conducted a comparative one-month follow-up study between instructor-led and concept map training method which confirmed the session effectiveness of the two methods and the result showed significant changes were found between the mean scores of knowledge of the two methods i.e. instructor-led at pretest were 5.82 and one month at 17.24(P<0.001) and concept map pretest at 6.6 and one months at 17.85 (P<0.001). However, the comparison of mean scores of knowledge was not statistically significant in the two groups in the post-test (P > 0.05).
Eighteen studies reported on skills outcomes during CPR training in this systematic review study. The study population is the registered nurses (13 articles) and student nurses (5 articles). 13 studies were done in the tertiary hospital setting and five were in the educational environment, such as the university nursing school. Fourteen articles used a one-day training period, while the remaining four used between three to seven days and all of them comprising either on pretest, posttest or follow-up. The review on level of acquisition and retention of skills have a combined sample size of 1,422 respondents with 37 minimum sample size and 404 maximum sample size. All eighteen papers use instructor-led assessment approaches. Eleven studies had a participant’s response rate above 75%. All articles except Shahrakivahed et al., (2015) reported sex and age. Women made up most respondents except in a study by Aliyari et al., (2019). Twelve articles have a representative population of registered nurses, and only one article has graduate nurses as the participants in the study (44). Years of work experience for registered nurses in 15 studies range from 2 to 25 years, averaging 8.5±1.37 years. Most respondents come from medical or surgical wards in hospitals where they work.
Of the 18 articles evaluating the skills of the participants, only six tested skills only (24, 27, 42, 44, 45, 46) and were evaluated in their assessment procedures, while the remaining 12 articles (11, 13, 26, 28, 29, 36, 27, 38, 39, 40. 41, 43) examined both knowledge and skills. Three out of six studies found a correlation for deliberate practice between the participant's pretest, posttest, and follow-up training score, implying that the more you practice, the greater the retention of skills. Anderson et al., (2019) reported results among 167 nurses over 12 months study period. In the study, respondents who were trained monthly had a significantly higher proportion of excellent CPR performance (58%) than those training every 3 month (26%), training every 6 month (21%) and training every 12 month (15%) (P<0.001). Sullivan et al. (2015) also reported a study among 66 non-intensive unit nurses, that showed a significant differences in improved skills within the experimental groups (control: six months: 23% vs. three months: 56% vs. 2 months: 73% ,P<0.001).
There were significant improvements in chest compression quality after Rolling Refreshers (RRs) were implemented, according to Niles et al. (2017); odds ratios for meeting criteria were 35.1 (95 % confidence interval = 2.5496, P=0.009) and 22.3 (95 % confidence interval = 2.1239, P=0.010). A comparison of chest compression quality at 12 months and 6 months of RR did not reveal any differences in chest compression quality. After traditional basic life support recertification, Niles concludes that chest compression psychomotor skill quality can only be retained for six months. While two studies showed the impact of simulation to skills acquisition and retention level. Toubasi et al., (2015) reported also in their studies of 30 registered nurses, the result also showed an association between pretest mean score 4.6 and posttest outcomes mean score 7.5 with an overall improvement in skills and BLS scores after simulation testing (P<0.001). Chen et al., (2018) showed a statistically significant difference in decreased median (interquartile ranges, IQR) seconds among participants with decreased response time in a resuscitation simulation. At the beginning of the course to start compression: control group (CG) 41(32–49) vs. experimental group (EG) 42 (33–46) (P > 0.05) and defibrillation (CG 222 (194–254) vs. EG 221 (214–248) (P > 0.05) compared with the end of the course to start compression (CG 32 (25–75) vs. EG 20 (18–38) (P < 0.001) and defibrillation (CG 204 (174–240) vs. EG 167 (162–174) (P < 0.001).
Study by Mardegan et al., (2015) on the impact of self-directed learning on skills acquisition and retention level showed that there were no statistically significant differences between video and instructor-led training among novice nurses and practicing nurses in the first week (P=0.190) and the eight weeks post-testing (P=0.411).
In all 13 studies in this analysis, four uses repeated measures, while three are quasi-experimental research designs and four were randomized controlled trials. All these design uses tools that reduces bias and examine cause-effect relationships which is good at answering the question about knowledge level and retention among the nurses in this study. Equally, 11 out of 13 articles have a sample size of less than 200, ranging from 28-177 people, involving a single institution in hospitals or nursing schools.
The findings of 10 articles in this analysis demonstrated the impact of CPR training in acquiring CPR knowledge level among nurses, comparing the level of knowledge acquired before training (pre-test) to significant level of knowledge acquired after training (post-test). (11,13,26,28, 36,37. 38, 39,40,41). Similar studies have been recorded between the pre-and post-tests performance by (5, 16, 52) that support the vital role of CPR training in ensuring that nurses are skilled, up-to-date and confident in the event of cardiac arrest.
On the other hand, seven articles in this review also reported on the retention of CPR/BLS knowledge level on critical skills after the post training test. Their result also showed a gradual decline in knowledge retention among nurses after the post training test which appears to occur, on average between 1 months and 6 month after CPR training (one month - 28, three months- 26, 38, 39 ,41 and six months- 11, 13 ). The above result is similar to the results of previous studies conducted by (49, 50) which looked at CPR knowledge and skills retention. It should be noted that the less frequent an individual updates his or her knowledge, the lower the retention of knowledge/skills is expected, as theoretical knowledge and skills tend to decline over time (51, 52). It is therefore suggested that training and retraining of CPR participants should be carried out at least within six months for all health professionals instead of the recommended 2-year period, as outlined in the 2015 ILCOR recommendation, and should be in keeping with the reality of each hospital training needs or environments.
Four studies in this review compared two different CPR/ BLS teaching methods among nurses between the instructor-led as a control group and others, such as video self-directed, concept map, student-directed and high-fidelity simulation as intervention group (11, 26, 28, 41). Although these studies reported only on nurses with a significant difference between the two methods in the acquisition and retention of CPR / BLS knowledge. Two studies by (53, 54) reveal a consistent findings with Aqel & Ahmad et al., (2014) study emphasize the effectiveness of HFS on students’ acquisition of knowledge and skills. Similarly, findings by Madden,et al., (2006) also concur that cognitive knowledge of BLS/AED significantly improved after a training session regardless of whether they belonged to the Instructor directed group (IDG) or Student directed group (SDG). However, these findings must be cautiously interpreted with Hernández-Padilla et al., (2015) submission, in which students who had already participated in a BLS/AED training session three months before the intervention and this could have positively influenced their final results in the Madden study.
Equally, studies done by ( 5, 10, 55,56, 57, 58), all confirm the similarity of the results as reported where there is significant difference between pretest and posttest as well as retention test between the two methods in this review. Only one study by (28) reported a contrary view of studies done by (59 60) with regard to concept map training on medical students revealing no significant different between the two methods. Although the duration of time used by Dong was longer, 10 hours instead of 4 hours, while in Cutrer's study, assessment of the knowledge was conducted by plotting 3 concept maps by participants instead of MCQ questions used in Aliyari et al., 2019 analysis. It is therefore suggested that future CPR / BLS training should give participants access to skills labs or training facilities after the initial training period.
Four study were repeated-measure studies, while eight were quasi-experimental study designs and six were randomized controlled studies. Like most CPR / BLS training, it has been repeatedly shown in many previous studies that skills tend to decline faster than knowledge after CPR training (10, 46). For example, two study results in this review showed a poor level of skills after initial training and follow-up compared to knowledge (13, 36). This is similar to (61) findings in their study, where the skills appear to be declining at a faster rate than knowledge, decreased as early as 2 weeks after training, and up to the pre-training levels by 1-2 years later. Similar studies by (62, 63, 64, 65 66) on varying pace of skills deterioration compared to knowledge was also identified.
On the contrary, four studies in this review reported opposite results where retention of skills was found to be better maintained at post-training than knowledge (11, 24, 26, 44). Two studies among them reported previous half a year professional training in the BLS / CPR course seemed to enhance the actual memory of learning among participants (24, 44). Furthermore, two studies by (67 68 ) also revealed a similar conclusion that previous training can enhance skills mastery.
Six articles in this reviewed study that tested skills only, revealed an overall significant increase in skill acquisition and retention between pre-test results and post-test outcomes using a deliberate practice approach (24, 27, 42, 44, 45, 46). This finding is similar to what has been reported in a study among a group of lay people (21, 69). Similarly, all 18 studies that tested skills competency used the checklist as a key instrument for testing skills using the lead manikins, except (43), which opted for the use of the MCQ. Again, six of the 18 articles were evaluated by a single evaluator, while five were evaluated by two teams of evaluators, and the remaining seven use skill recording manikins and video recorders to evaluate the skills of the participants.
While comparing two different CPR/ BLS teaching methods between the instructor-led as a control group and other forms of teaching, such as video self-directed, concept map, student-directed, and high-fidelity simulation as an intervention group, five studies revealed a significant result in this review. This is comparable to the conclusion reported by (70), which revealed that participants who used a mix of case study and concept map rather than a case study alone had a superior knowledge. According to a study by (26, 49), those who have previous cardiac simulation experience learn and retain CPR skills better than those who learn and retain CPR knowledge.
When comparing student and teacher learning techniques, participants' BLS/AED knowledge and skills are observed to decline significantly between post-test and retention-test (41). This is also in line with previous research (71, 72). However, Mardegan et al., (2015) observed no statistically significant changes in BLS skills of novice and practicing nurses at one week and eight weeks after training between CD and traditional instructor led BLS training approaches (P=0.41).
Limitation
Included studies that employ quasi-experimental procedures without blinding participants may raise doubts about their dependability, which is one of the drawbacks noted. In the same way, respondents' beliefs could impact the self-reported questionnaires employed in the identified studies.
Thirteen articles analyzed knowledge of nurses in this study, of which four are repeated studies, three quasi-experimental research designs and four are randomized controlled trials, only two uses cross-section descriptive studies. Likewise, 18 articles reported performance of skills four repeated measures studies, eight quasi-experimental study designs and six are randomized controlled studies. In this analysis, acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills have been shown to significantly increase between pre-test and post test results. However, skills were observed to decay faster than knowledge. Skills start to decay as early as 2 weeks whereas knowledge retention start to decline on average between 1 month and 6 month after BLS/CPR training. Most of the articles showed that other forms of teaching methods are also as effective as the instructor led/traditional teaching methods in knowledge and skills levels among nurses. Future studies should therefore focus on the optimal timeframe required for the re-certification of the BLS/CPR after initial training. This will help to achieve the desired outcome of the reduction of cardiac arrest mortality.
CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; BLS: Basic life Support; AED: Automated External defibrillator; AHA: American Heart Association
Acknowledgements
None.
Funding
This research did not receive any specific funding from agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Availability of data and materials
All other datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within the article and its additional files.
Authors’ contributions
Saidu Ahmed - Conceptualized the study and performed the literature search.
Saidu Ahmed - Conducted the study selection of all retrieved records by the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Saidu Ahmed and Lim Poh Ying - Assessed the methodological quality of all included studies.
Saidu Ahmed - Performed the data synthesis.
Lim Poh Ying and Iskasymar Ismail - Reviewed the data synthesis.
Saidu Ahmed - Drafted the manuscript.
Lim Poh Ying, Iskasymar Ismail, and Lee Khuan - Revised the manuscript.
All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Authors’ information
This systematic review is part of the PhD project of Saidu Ahmed, supervised by LPY, LK and I I.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
Author details
1 Department of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.; [email protected];/[email protected]: [email protected]
2 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. [email protected]
3 Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. [email protected]