title: Structured training in assessment increases confidence amongst basic life support instructors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assessment skills are often neglected in resuscitation training and it has been shown that the ERC BLS/AED instructor course may be insufficient to prepare candidates for an assessment role. We have introduced an Assessment Training Programme (ATP) to improve assessors' decision making. In this article we present our ATP and an observational study of candidates' confidence levels upon completing both an ERC BLS/AED instructor course and our ATP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-seven candidates undertook the ERC instructor course and 20 qualified ERC BLS/AED instructors undertook the ATP. Pre- and post-course questionnaires were completed. Confidence was assessed on ten-point Visual Analogue Scales (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall confidence on the ERC BLS/AED instructor course rose from 5.9 (SD 1.8) to 8.7 (SD 1.4) (P < 0.001). A more modest improvement was witnessed on the ATP, rising from 8.2 (SD 1.4) to 9.6 (SD 0.5) (P < 0.001). Upon completion of their respective courses, assessors (mean 9.6, SD 0.5) were significantly more confident at assessing than instructors (mean 8.7, SD 0.5) (P<0.001). Confidence in assessing individual algorithm components was similar on both courses. On the post-course questionnaire those on the ATP remained significantly more confident at assessing borderline candidates compared to instructors (P < 0.001), with no difference for clear pass (P = 0.067) or clear fail (P = 0.060) candidates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ATP raises the confidence of assessing BLS/AED candidates to a level above that of the ERC instructor course alone. We advocate that resuscitation organisations consider integrating an ATP into their existing training structure.
authors.affiliation: Resuscitation for Medical Disciplines Research Group, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom. Electronic address: cj.thorne@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Thorne
authors.affiliation: Resuscitation for Medical Disciplines Research Group, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Resuscitation for Medical Disciplines Research Group, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Coffin
authors.affiliation: Resuscitation for Medical Disciplines Research Group, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hulme
authors.affiliation: Resuscitation for Medical Disciplines Research Group, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2WB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Owen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation; D003479:Curriculum; D047548:Defibrillators; D004493:Education / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005178:Faculty / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: 2010 European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines; Adult; Basic life support (BLS); Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); assessment