Role of Overlearning in Skill Retention of Cardiac First Response Course

Musarrat ul Hasnain; Sumera Badar Ehsan; Ali  Ishaq

doi:10.29054/apmc/2018.138

Musarrat ul Hasnain Professor/Director, Department of Medical Education Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore
Sumera Badar Ehsan Assistant Professor Medical Education, Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad
Ali Ishaq Medical Officer, BHU, Khanuana, District, Jhang

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2018.138

Keywords: Skill retention, Overlearning, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Cardiac First response course (CFR), Medical Students

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effect of over-learning, on retention of skill, in final year students of Punjab Medical college after completing Cardiac First Response (CFR) course. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad during 2014. Methodology: The study used a quasi-experimental design to compare the final year student’s of Punjab Medical College having 60 students in over-learning and the same number in the control group. Experimental group practiced the skills for additional 2 hours amounting to 50% overlearning. Both groups completed same MCQ and skills tests after six weeks. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 15 and independent t test was performed for comparison of means of both skill test results. Data Analysis: Analyzed by using statistical software SPSS version 20. Results: In 1st time test the MCQ scores mean was 22.8 (n=60) and 21.92 (n=60) for the experimental group and control group respectively. Test after six weeks (2nd time) resulted in score means of 19.20 (n=50) and 16.15 (n=53) for these groups with p value=.000. The total mean score of the experimental groups’ adult skill set was 101.42 (n=50) and that in control group was 97.79 (n=53) with p value=. 008 in the 2nd time test. Important skills like chest compressions showed better retention in the experimental group. Conclusion: Over-learning helps in better retention of procedural skills of CFR course after six weeks of nonuse.