The effects of a first-aid education program for middle school students in a Greek urban area

Analysis of Web-based learning methods in emergency medicine: randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

In medical education, Web-based learning is increasingly used as a complement to practical classes. The objective of the study was to perform a comparative analysis of three different forms of e-learning course on emergency medicine in terms of an indicator of knowledge growth and students' satisfaction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For the purpose of the study, we developed and implemented a tool in the form of an online course: A - non-animated presentation, B - video, C - interactive video. The participants were undergraduate students of emergency medicine and nursing (n = 106). A pre-test and a post-test were carried out, and the resulting data were analyzed using parametric tests (t-test, ANOVA, post-hoc). Final questionnaires assessing six parameters of satisfaction were also evaluated.

RESULTS

A significant increase in knowledge in the experimental group which used an interactive video was observed (p = 0.04). Moreover, the number of replays of learning material was the highest in group C (2.09 ±2.48). The level of post-course satisfaction turned out to be comparable in all three groups (p = 0.62).

CONCLUSIONS

The study allowed the interactive course to be identified as the most effective method of distance learning among selected ones. Due to the limitations of the study, we conclude that there is a need for further studies on the effectiveness of e-learning in emergency medicine.

What does the Cantril Ladder measure in adolescence?

INTRODUCTION

The Cantril Scale (CS) is a simple visual scale which makes it possible to assess general life satisfaction. The result may depend on the health, living, and studying conditions, and quality of social relations. The objective of this study is to identify key factors influencing the CS score in Polish adolescents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The survey comprised 1,423 parent-child pairs (54% girls; age range: 10-17; 67.3% urban inhabitants; 89.4% of parents were mothers). Linear and logistic models were estimated; the latter used alternative divisions into "satisfied" and "dissatisfied" with life. In addition to age and gender, child-reported KIDSCREEN-52 quality of life indexes were taken into account, along with some information provided by parents - child physical (CSHCN) and mental (SDQ) health, and family socio-economic conditions.

RESULTS

According to the linear model, nine independent predictors, including six dimensions of KIDSCREEN-52, explain 47.2% of the variability of life satisfaction on the Cantril Scale. Self-perception was found to have a dominating influence (ΔR² = 0.301, p < 0.001). Important CS predictors also included Psychological Well-being (ΔR² = 0.088, p < 0.001) and Parent Relations (ΔR² = 0.041, p < 0.001). The impact of socioeconomic factors was more visible in boys and in older adolescents. According to logistic models, the key factors enhancing the chance of higher life satisfaction are Moods and Emotions (cut-off point CS > 5) and School Environment (CS > 8 points). None of the models indicated a relationship between the CS and physical health.

CONCLUSIONS

The Cantril Scale can be considered a useful measurement tool in a broad approach to psychosocial adolescent health.

Short lessons in basic life support improve self-assurance in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation

BACKGROUND

There are several reasons why resuscitation measures may lead to inferior results: difficulties in team building, delayed realization of the emergency and interruption of chest compression. This study investigated the outcome of a new form of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training with special focus on changes in self-assurance of potential helpers when faced with emergency situations.

METHODS

Following a 12-month period of CPR training, questionnaires were distributed to participants and non-participants. Those non-participants who intended to undergo the training at a later date served as control group.

RESULTS

The study showed that participants experienced a significant improvement in self-assurance, compared with their remembered self-assurance before the training. Their self-assurance also was significantly greater than that of the control group of non-participants.

CONCLUSION

Short lessons in CPR have an impact on the self-assurance of medical and non-medical personnel.