Does confidence mirror competence? Outcomes following Stop the Bleed® training among lay community members

To evaluate and compare pre- and post-STB training outcomes of bleeding control knowledge, willingness to act and confidence in doing so.

Stop the Bleed® (STB) training improves trainees' willingness to intervene in pre-hospital bleeding emergencies and confidence in doing so, but few studies report associated knowledge-based outcomes.

A cross-sectional, observational study was performed using a pre-/post-test approach. Lay community members aged ≥18 who read and spoke English were included. On enrollment, participants completed the Stop the Bleed Training Survey (STB-TS) (five self-assessment and three knowledge-based items), and provided demographics and work history data; the STB-TS was completed again immediately after training. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample. Paired t-tests were used to compare STB-TS self-assessment items. McNemar's Test was used to compare proportions of correct answers to STB-TS knowledge-based items.

Trainees (N = 31) had a mean age of 33 ± 16 years, identified as mostly female (58.1 %) and people of color (54.8 %), and reported little experience with bleeding control emergencies. Total STB-TS scores increased from 14.4 ± 6.7 to 17.0 ± 10.8 (p = .26), indicating greater knowledge, confidence, and willingness to act. Correct response rates increased significantly from pre- to post-training (27.6 % vs 69.2 %, p = .003) on only one of the knowledge-based items: proper tourniquet application.

Findings suggest a disconnect among trainees' willingness to act and confidence in doing so compared to their knowledge of bleeding control intervention. Incorporating use of high-fidelity simulation and standardized evaluation instruments may enhance content and skill mastery.