Effectiveness of Simulation-Based CPR Training Among Medical Students: A Pilot study

Abstract Introduction Improving CPR training among medical students is a key public health strategy to reduce preventable deaths from cardiac arrest, especially in those about to begin their internship year in hospital settings. Identifying the most effective training approach is essential, taking advantage of the technological resources available in universities. Methods A randomized open-label trial was conducted in medical students about to start their internship. Participants were allocated to an intervention group, trained in CPR by an AHA-certified instructor using high-fidelity simulation, or to a control group, receiving standard university lectures. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the AHA skills checklist and a validated knowledge test. Effectiveness was measured by relative risk (RR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and number needed to treat (NNT), using SPSS v27 for analysis. Results A total of 113 students were invited to participate, of which only 32 students accepted (16 per group), eliminating 3 participants from the control group during the study. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between groups regarding gender, academic semester, prior emergency training, time since last CPR course, training site, or previous simulator practice. Initial knowledge scores favored the control group (6.0±1.4 vs. 7.4±1.3), but post-intervention scores favored the intervention group (9.0±0.6 vs. 7.8±0.5). CPR skills improved significantly only in the intervention group (12.8±2.0 vs. 9.0±3.7), with RR = 2.6 (95% CI 1.05-2.4) and NNT=1.6 for knowledge, and RR = 1.6 (95% CI 1.3-5.17) and NNT=2.6 for skills (p < 0.05). Conclusions Simulation-based training was effective in improving CPR knowledge and skills among final-year medical students compared to self-study. The low initial scores highlight a critical need to reinforce CPR education in medical curricula and expand access to simulation resources. Key messages • Simulation-based CPR training significantly improves knowledge and skills among future interns, reducing preventable deaths. • Low baseline scores reveal urgent gaps in CPR education, underscoring the need for enhanced training in medical schools.