The comparison between two methods of basic life support instruction: video self-instruction versus traditional method

Introduction: Medical education is changing and evolving. Teachers need to re-evaluate their medical teaching practice to enhance student learning. The data about the ideal training method of Basic Life Support (BLS) is lacking. The goal of this study was to analyse the use and performance of video self-instruction (VSI) method in BLS, in order to develop an efficient BLS training method. Methods: Eighty-one undergraduate medical interns were enrolled in a prospective clinical study in 2011. They were divided into VSI group and traditional group. We provided the first group with a DVD containing a 20-minute training video while the second group took part in a 4-hour training class of BLS. Subjects participated in a pre-test and post-test based on 2010 American Heart Association Resuscitation guideline. Results: The average scores of VSI group and the traditional group before training were 8.85 +/- 2.42 and 8.57 +/- 2.22 respectively (p=0.592). After training, the average scores of the VSI and the traditional group were 20.24 +/- 0.83 and 18.05 +/- 1.86 respectively. VSI group achieved slightly better scores compared with the traditional group (p<0.001). Conclusions: Training through VSI achieves more satisfying results than the traditional lecture method. VSI method can be considered a useful technique in undergraduate educational programs. Developing VSI can increase significantly the access to the BLS training.