DefinePK

Abstract

Purpose: Cardiac arrest accounts for 15-20% of all fatalities, making it a major public health concern. Prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can dramatically minimize the risk of sudden death. Significant members of the healthcare delivery team are thought to have mastered the core skills and knowledge necessary to do CPR. The study aimed to assess CPR knowledge and competence among paramedical students.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design, Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered through Google Forms, allowing for efficient and wide-reaching distribution among participants. The questionnaire included sections designed to evaluate both theoretical understanding and perceptions regarding CPR practices.
Results: Out of 413 participants, 388 paramedical students from five departments—Radiological Imaging Techniques (RIT), Medical Laboratory Techniques (MLT), Optometry (OPT), Forensic Sciences (FS), and Anesthesia and Intensive Care Technology (AICT)—completed the questionnaire. The distribution of participants was as follows: RIT (33%), MLT (27%), OPT (22%), FS (13%), and AICT (5%). Students from the RIT department achieved the highest percentage of correct responses (50.3%), followed by MLT (48.7%), OPT (48.2%), AICT (47.6%), and FS (46.3%). These findings suggest that students in Radiological Imaging Techniques possess greater knowledge of CPR compared to those in the other four programs.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that among paramedical students, those enrolled in the Radiological Imaging Techniques (RIT) program demonstrated the highest level of knowledge regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), outperforming their peers from Medical Laboratory Techniques, Optometry, Anesthesia and Intensive Care Technology, and Forensic Sciences. While overall knowledge levels varied across departments, the results highlight a need for enhanced CPR training and education across all paramedical disciplines to ensure consistent competency in life-saving procedures. Strengthening CPR instruction in curricula could significantly improve preparedness and response in emergency situations among future healthcare professionals.