Knowledge of Iranian Medical Interns Regarding Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation

Objectives: Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most important procedures in emergency medicine. As new trends are evolving in medical education , we planned to evaluate the interests and knowledge of medical students regarding educational methods in CPR learning. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional analytical descriptive study, a standardized questionnaire was distributed among ۱۸۰ medical interns at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. The questionnaire had three parts: demographics, general questions, and CPR knowledge. If they had more than ۱۰ correct answers (out of ۱۵) in knowledge, they were placed in group A and if more than ۵, in group B and correct answers less than ۵ were categorized in group C. Results: ۱۵۹ interns filled the questionnaires. Mean age was ۲۴.۹۹ ± ۰.۹۶ and ۵۶.۵% were female; ۵۲.۷% were educated only theoretically and ۴۷.۳% had combined theoretical and clinical knowledge; male interns were significantly more educated (P = ۰.۰۴۱). Residents were the majority of trainers (۵۶.۸%) and only ۱۴.۳% were educated by the staffs. Only ۷% mentioned that they felt they could do a complete CPR and ۳۷.۳% considered themselves as assistants; ۹۳.۷% believed that isolated emergency ward and teaching courses were needed for better education and ۹۵% declared that continuous education is obligatory; ۳۳.۵% were in group A and ۴۵.۸% were in group B. Conclusions: CPR education is of interest to most interns. Due to lack of emergency medicine wards and, the interns’ knowledge and their practical skills were insufficient to perform acceptable CPR.