title: Resuscitation training in small-group setting--gender matters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Within cardiopulmonary resuscitation external chest compressions (ECC) are of outstanding importance. Frequent training in Basic Life Support (BLS) may improve the performance, but the perfect method or environment is still a matter of research. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether practical performance and retention of skills in resuscitation training may be influenced by the gender composition in learning groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were allocated to three groups for standardized BLS-training: Female group (F): only female participants; Male group (M): only male participants; Standard group (S): male and female participants. All groups were trained with the standardized 4-step-approach method. Assessment of participants' performance was done before training (t1), after one week (t2) and eight months later (t3) on a manikin in the same cardiac arrest single-rescuer-scenario. Participants were 251 Laypersons (mean age 21; SD 4; range 18-42 years; females 63%) without previous medical knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  compression rate 90-110/min; mean compression depth 38-51 mm. Standardized questionnaires were used for the evaluation of attitude and learning environment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After one week group F performed significantly better with respect to the achievement of the correct mean compression depth (F: 63% vs. S: 43%; p = 0.02). Moreover, groups F and S were the only groups which were able to improve their performance concerning the mean compression rate (t1: 35%; t3: 52%; p = 0.04). Female participants felt more comfortable in the female-only environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Resuscitation training in gender-segregated groups has an effect on individual performance with superior ECC skills in the female-only learning groups.
authors.forename: Saša
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sopka
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Biermann
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossaint
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rex
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skorning
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heussen
authors.forename: Stefan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Beckers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008348:Manikins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult