A required, combined ACLS/ATLS provider course for senior medical students at East Carolina University

A course that combines advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) training with advanced trauma life support (ATLS) training for senior medical students was evaluated for its ability to integrate concepts of students' prior clinical experience and to stimulate achievement of provider certification. Since initiation of this program in 1982, students have uniformly praised the combined ACLS/ATLS provider course in anonymous, post-course evaluations. The experience was judged to integrate significantly concepts and principles acquired in students' previous 18 months of clinical training. The opportunity to apply these concepts in unique and challenging clinical simulations was noted by students. Evaluation of pretest and post-test data for the class of 1984 (n = 39) using a t test for matched pairs indicates a significant improvement in post-test examination performance (P less than .001). These data are supported by skills stations testing and achievement of provider certification. Ninety-five percent of student participants achieved provider certification in ACLS; 92% achieved provider certification in ATLS.