The testing effect on skills learning might last 6 months.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Skills Training

Background:

• Previous studies indicated testing enhances immediate learning outcomes in skills courses.
• The long-term impact of incorporating testing versus extended practice in skills acquisition remained undetermined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if testing as a final activity in a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills course improves long-term learning outcomes.
• To compare skills performance after six months between students who underwent skills testing and those who only practiced.

Main Methods:

• An assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted with 7th-semester medical students.
• Participants were randomized into an intervention group (skills training + testing) or a control group (practice-only).
• CPR skills were assessed six months post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The intervention group (N=48) scored a mean of 75.9 (SD 11.0), while the control group (N=41) scored 70.3 (SD 17.1).
• The difference in mean scores was not statistically significant (P=0.06), with an effect size of 0.4.
• 50% of invited participants (89/180) completed the retention assessment.

Conclusions:

• Testing as a concluding activity in CPR skills courses may positively influence long-term skill retention.
• Although not statistically significant, the observed effect size suggests potential clinical and educational value.
• Further research is needed to confirm the long-term benefits of skills testing in medical education.