Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Knowledge Among Healthcare Professionals in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Literature Review

Introduction: The survival rates of cardiac arrest patients significantly improve when medical professionals deliver high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A thorough understanding of resuscitation techniques is crucial for medical professionals to perform chest compressions effectively and confidently, thereby enhancing patient outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the level of cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge among healthcare professionals across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, assessing resuscitation knowledge among healthcare professionals in GCC countries using studies published between 2008 and 2024. Relevant studies were identified through an extensive search of electronic databases including Google Scholar, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and PubMed. Results: The study included data from 6485 healthcare workers representing diverse healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and training institutions. Overall knowledge among professionals was found to be average, with a positive attitude towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation training widely reported. Studies assessing pre- and post-training knowledge revealed that educational interventions significantly enhanced knowledge levels and fostered positive attitudes towards resuscitation practices. However, compared to immediate post-course assessments, a notable decline of over 50% in knowledge retention was observed 6 months posttraining. Limitations of this study include variability in study consistency, potential bias from self-reported data, and the lack of standardized assessment tools across studies. Conclusion: This review underscores the critical need for comprehensive and regular training programs, either annually or biannually, to ensure that healthcare professionals maintain the knowledge and confidence required to deliver high-quality care during cardiac arrest scenarios.