title: Teaching medical students to resuscitate children: an innovative two-part programme.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to design and evaluate a novel, 'blended learning' approach to the teaching of paediatric resuscitation to medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited from the Graduate Medical Program at the University of Sydney. The course incorporated an initial e-learning module and a subsequent practical component. The e-learning module taught basic and advanced life support. Students then attended a 90 min practical session, which focussed on team work and the psychomotor components of resuscitation. Improvement in knowledge was measured by a multiple choice question (MCQ) test. The MCQ was completed prior to beginning the whole course, after completion of the e-learning module and again at follow up 8 months later. Students also completed an evaluation survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one students participated. There was a significant objective increase in knowledge from pre-course to post e-learning scores, median scores (interquartile range) from 12/23 (10.5 to 13.5) to 21/23 (20 to 22.5), P < 0.001. This significant increase in knowledge was still apparent at follow up 8 months later. Median MCQ score at follow up was 17/23 (14 to 18.5), P < 0.002. Students self-rated significant improvements in their knowledge, confidence and ability to perform basic and advanced life support for the whole course and between individual components (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A novel paediatric resuscitation course for medical students was developed and evaluated. This demonstrated significant objective improvements in student knowledge throughout the course, at course completion and at 8 month follow up. There were also significant subjective improvements in knowledge, confidence and ability to perform paediatric resuscitation.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Natasha M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Dianne E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Fenton M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: O'Leary
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009517:New South Wales; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*