An ACLS laboratory rotation for undergraduate medical students

✍ Scribed by William J. Dyche; Joseph H. Walsh; Joe A. Nelson

• Book ID: 104312603
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1983
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 460 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1097-6760
• DOI: 10.1016/s0196-0644(83)80596-4

✦ Synopsis

We have modified the formal advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) course to meet the special needs of undergraduate medical students. A laboratorybased rotation totaling 25 hours is devoted entirely to the practice of psychomotor skills. The ACLS didactic information is presented in a selfinstructional format that includes audiotape-slides, videotapes, and selfassessment quizzes. The rotation provided a certification rate of 92%. Despite impressive test performance by third-year students, retention of cardiac code management skills deteriorated rapidly over time. A laboratorybased rotation may prove to be an effective and efficient means of providing ACLS training to undergraduate medical students.