title: Effects of the use of theoretical versus theoretical-practical training on CPR.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Theoretical knowledge and skill to perform good quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are essential for the survival of patients with sudden death.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a theoretical course alone is sufficient to promote good quality CPR training and knowledge for health professionals in comparison to a theoretical-practical basic life support training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty volunteer nurses participated in the theoretical CPR and automated external defibrillation (AED) training by means of a theoretical class and video used in the Basic Life Support Training of the American Heart Association (BLS-AHA; group A). They were compared to other 26 health professionals who attended regular theoretical-practical BLS-AHA training (group B). After the training, the participants took theoretical and practical tests as recommended in BLS-AHA courses. The practical tests were recorded and were later scored by three experienced instructors. The theoretical test was a multiple choice test used in regular BLS-AHA courses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was observed in the theoretical tests (p = ns). However, the practical tests were consistently worse in group A, as evaluated by the three examiners (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of CPR videos and theoretical training did not improve the individuals' psychomotor ability to perform good quality CPR; however, it may improve their cognitive ability (knowledge). Critical areas of intervention are the primary ABCD and the correct use of AED.
authors: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. hcmiotto@cardiol.br
authors: Heberth César
authors: HC
authors: Miotto
authors: Felipe Ribeiro da Silva
authors: FR
authors: Camargos
authors: Cristiano Valério
authors: CV
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Eugenio M A
authors: EM
authors: Goulart
authors: Maria da Consolação Vieira
authors: Mda C
authors: Moreira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D047548:Defibrillators; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D014742:Videodisc Recording / Q000295:instrumentation