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 percent 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