The Effectiveness of the Basic Life Support Training Program in Bangkok Metropolitan Area
Keywords:
Basic life support, Training course, Practical skills, public sectorAbstract
Introduction and research objectives: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains a critical public health issue. This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a hands-on Basic Life Support (BLS) training program in Bangkok Metropolitan area, using the Knowledge-Attitude-Skill (KAS) framework.
Research methods: 60 participants from Chulabhorn Hospital were randomly allocated into experimental (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. The experimental group received 4-hour hands-on BLS training (theory 120 minutes, practice 120 minutes), while the control group watched a 10-minute instructional video. Knowledge, attitude, and practical skills were assessed before intervention, immediately after, and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups using validated instruments (Cronbach's alpha >0.70). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, independent t-test, ANCOVA, and repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: The experimental group demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores post-intervention, with an increase of 7.23 points (p<0.001). The experimental group showed better attitudes (mean difference=3.70, p=0.012) and superior practical skills (mean difference=1.63, p<0.001) compared to the control group. Knowledge retention remained significantly higher at 3-month follow-up in the experimental group (25.80±1.86 vs 23.10±2.51, p<0.001).
Conclusion and Implications: Hands-on BLS training effectively improves knowledge, attitude, and practical skills with sustained retention. Healthcare institutions should implement standardized hands-on training programs for the general public and establish systematic follow-up mechanisms with regular updated training every 3-6 months.
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