Comparison of peer-led versus professional-led training in basic life support for medical students

Background: The effect of peer-led training in basic life support (BLS)in the education of medical students has not been assessed. Subjects and methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial with a blinded outcome assessor. A total of 74 fourth-year medical students at Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan were randomly assigned to BLS training conducted by either a senior medical student (peer-led group) or a health professional (professional-led group). The primary outcome measure was the percentage of chest compressions with adequate depth (38-51 mm) by means of a training mannequin evaluated 20 weeks after BLS training. Secondary outcome measures were compression depth, compression rate, proportion of participants who could ensure adequate compression depth (38-51 mm) and adequate compression rate (90-110/minute), and retention of BLS knowledge as assessed by 22-point questionnaire. Results: Percentage chest compressions with adequate depth (mean +/- SD) was 54.5% +/- 31.8% in the peer-led group and 52.4% +/- 35.6% in the professional-led group. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of difference of the means was -18.7% to 22.8%. The proportion of participants who could ensure an adequate mean compression rate was 17/23 (73.9%) in the peer-led group but only 8/22 (36.4%) in the professional-led group (P = 0.011). On the 22-point questionnaire administered 20 weeks after training, the peer-led group scored 17.2 +/- 2.3 whereas the professional-led group scored 17.8 +/- 2.0. The 95% CI of difference of the means was -1.72 to 0.57. Conclusion: Peer-led training in BLS by medical students is feasible and as effective as health professional-led training.