Reducing Hesitation in Resuscitation: Educational Effects of a Female-Appearing Simulator in Basic Life Support...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Emergency Medicine
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Background:

• Women face disparities in receiving timely defibrillation during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
• Existing basic life support (BLS) training may not adequately address gender-specific considerations.
• Learner attitudes and comfort levels can influence the effectiveness of emergency response training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a visually modified female-appearing simulator on BLS training outcomes.
• To assess changes in learners' attitudes, knowledge, and performance using a gender-sensitive simulator.
• To determine if a female-appearing simulator improves critical skills like chest compression and AED pad placement.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 220 first-year medical students in BLS simulation training.
• Intervention group used a female-appearing simulator; control group used a standard gender-neutral simulator.
• Pre- and post-training questionnaires and skills evaluations assessed attitudes, knowledge, and performance.

Main Results:

• The female simulator group initiated chest compressions significantly faster (33.1 vs. 39.8 sec).
• Correct automated external defibrillator (AED) pad placement was significantly higher in the intervention group (64.2% vs. 38.5%).
• Intervention group showed increased self-efficacy, decreased discomfort with patient undressing, and improved recognition of gender-sensitive resuscitation protocols.

Conclusions:

• A female-appearing simulator enhances BLS training effectiveness, leading to faster critical interventions.
• This approach improves learner confidence and reduces discomfort related to gender-specific patient care scenarios.
• Implementing gender-sensitive simulators can optimize emergency response training and potentially improve patient outcomes for all genders.