Pharmacy students' retention of knowledge and skills following training in automated external defibrillator use.
OBJECTIVE
To assess pharmacy students' retention of knowledge about appropriate automated external defibrillator use and counseling points following didactic training and simulated experience.


METHODS
Following a lecture on sudden cardiac arrest and automated external defibrillator use, second-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students were assessed on their ability to perform basic life support and deliver a shock at baseline, 3 weeks, and 4 months. Students completed a questionnaire to evaluate recall of counseling points for laypeople/the public.


RESULTS
Mean time to shock delivery at baseline was 74 ± 25 seconds, which improved significantly at 3 weeks (50 ± 17 seconds, p < 0.001) and was maintained at 4 months (47 ± 18 seconds, p < 0.001). Recall of all signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest and automated external defibrillator counseling points was diminished after 4 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacy students can use automated external defibrillators to quickly deliver a shock and are able to retain this ability after 4 months. Refresher training/courses will be required to improve students' retention of automated external defibrillator counseling points to ensure their ability to deliver appropriate patient education.
University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, USA. kjkopacek@pharmacy.wisc.edu
Karen Birckelbaw
KB
Kopacek
Anna Legreid
AL
Dopp
John M
JM
Dopp
Orly
O
Vardeny
J Jason
JJ
Sims
D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education; D002983:Clinical Competence; D047548:Defibrillators; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014922:Wisconsin