RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Various educational programs have been implemented to achieve skill, willingness and self-confidence in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Paramedic students usually participate in clinical practice in emergency department as one of their educational courses. We investigated the effects of hospital based clinical practice and participation in real cardiac arrest situation on paramedic students' CPR performance and recognition. METHODS: Eighty-one paramedic students from 10 different universities who received hospital based clinical practice for 3 or 4 weeks in a regional emergency medical center from December 2016 to August 2017 were enrolled in our study. Subjects were asked, using a questionnaire, about their confidence and willingness to perform CPR before and after clinical practice. We also objectively measured two minute-CPR performance using the Laerdal skill reporter before and after clinical practice. During clinical practice, students participated in real CPR situations and took several theoretical examinations; however, additional CPR practical training was not included. RESULTS: This study included 48.1% male volunteers and 70.4% respondents who had Basic Life Support provider certification. The average number of real CPR situations participated in was 8.35 times. Scores in confidence of CPR increased significantly (3.80 vs. 4.36, P < 0.001) after clinical practice; however, scores in willingness to conduct CPR were high in both groups (4.46 vs. 4.48, P=0.787). Average chest compression depth also increased significantly (51.3 mm vs. 55.5 mm, P < 0.001) after clinical practice, but average compression rate showed no difference (111 vs. 111, P=0.694). Correct hand positioning and chest recoil also showed no difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Hospital based clinical practice of paramedic students could provide extra confidence in student's ability to perform CPR and lead to adequate chest compression depth.