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The results of EuReCa ONE highlight that OHCA is still a major public health problem accounting for a substantial number of deaths in Europe. EuReCa ONE very clearly demonstrates marked differences in the processes for data collection and reported outcomes following OHCA all over Europe. Using these data and analyses, different countries, regions, systems, and concepts can benchmark themselves and may learn from each other to further improve survival following one of our major health care events.

BackgroundThe concept of virtual patients (VPs) encompasses a great variety of predominantly case-based e-learning modules with different complexity and fidelity levels. Methods for effective placement of VPs in the process of medical education are sought. The aim of this study was to determine whether the introduction of a voluntary virtual patients module into a basic life support with an automated external defibrillator (BLS-AED) course improved the knowledge and skills of students taking the course.MethodsHalf of the students were randomly assigned to an experimental group and given voluntary access to a virtual patient module consisting of six cases presenting BLS-AED knowledge and skills. Pre- and post-course knowledge tests and skills assessments were performed, as well as a survey of students' satisfaction with the VP usage. In addition, time spent using the virtual patient system, percentage of screen cards viewed and scores in the formative questions in the VP system throughout the course were traced and recorded.ResultsThe study was conducted over a six week period and involved 226 first year medical students. The voluntary module was used by 61 (54%) of the 114 entitled study participants. The group that used VPs demonstrated better results in knowledge acquisition and in some key BLS-AED action skills than the group without access, or those students from the experimental group deliberately not using virtual patients. Most of the students rated the combination of VPs and corresponding teaching events positively.ConclusionsThe overall positive reaction of students and encouraging results in knowledge and skills acquisition suggest that the usage of virtual patients in a BLS-AED course on a voluntary basis is feasible and should be further investigated.

IntroductionPeyton's four‐step approach is well‐known and commonly used in medical education. It is a practical and useful method which is simple to apply. The study presents the implementation of the modified four‐step approach method to teach how to perform the emergency echocardiographic assessment according to FATE (Focus‐Assessed Transthoracic Echo) protocol. The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility and utility of this method FATE protocol teaching.DesignWe collected students' feedback relating to perception of this way of teaching. Based on a semistructured interview conducted with the students, as well as an evaluation of the electronic survey, it has been demonstrated that the four‐step method is useful for teaching emergency echocardiographic assessment.SettingOne Polish medical school.ParticipantsThe classes were run in small groups as part of an elective ultrasound course for the fourth‐ and fifth‐year students of the Faculty of Medicine of the Medical College. Twenty‐two students were trained.ResultsBased on the opinions of the participants of the elective course and the teacher conducting the classes, which involved the use of the modified Peyton's four‐step method in teaching echocardiography in emergency cases according to the FATE protocol, it has been determined that the four‐step method is effective in imaging training. All participants claim that this method is clear and understandable. Advantages of the methodological approach: a slow‐motion demonstration by the instructor, accompanied by the commentary on the activities undertaken and practical exercises performed by the participants, learning through repetition, requirement of constant concentration.ConclusionsPeyton's approach allows to use of the class time in maximal extend by consolidating new information and facilitating memorization through adequate instructor guidance and observation of the training of the peer students and repetition of the skills acquired.

Background Variation in the incidence, survival rate and factors associated with survival after cardiac arrest in Europe is reported. Some studies have tried to fill the knowledge gap regarding the epidemiology of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Europe but were unable to identify reasons for the reported differences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe European Emergency Medical Systems, particularly from the perspective of country and ambulance service characteristics, cardiac arrest identification, dispatch, treatment, and monitoring. Methods An online questionnaire with 51 questions about ambulance and dispatch characteristics, on-scene management of cardiac arrest and the availability and dataset in cardiac arrest registries, was sent to all national coordinators who participated in the European Registry of Cardiac Arrest studies. In addition, individual invitations were sent to the remaining European countries. Results Participants from 28 European countries responded to the questionnaire. Results were combined with official information on population density. Overall, the number of Emergency Medical Service missions, level of training of personnel, availability of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and the involvement of first responders varied across and within countries. There were similarities in team training, availability of key resuscitation equipment and permission for ongoing performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transported. The quality of reporting to cardiac arrest registries varied, as well as the data availability in the registries. Conclusions Throughout Europe there are important differences in Emergency Medical Service systems and the response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Explaining these differences is complicated due to significant variation in how variables are reported to and used in registries.

A b s t r a c t Background:The chain of survival is a set of most important factors affecting survival after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Recognising the difficulties in applying the chain is the key to improving outcomes. Early return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after a cardiac arrest is a fundamental factor for patient survival.Aim: To assess the degree to which the location of OHCA affects ROSC during resuscitation efforts. Results: Over the time period covered by the study, 5185 cases of OHCA were reported. Resuscitation was attempted in 2415 (46.6%) cases. ROSC was achieved in 736 (30.48%) cases, including 374 (32.13%) cases in urban areas and 362 (28.94%) cases in rural areas. This difference was not statistically significant. Compared to urban areas, event witnesses in rural areas were more likely to perform bystander resuscitation and receive instructions from the EMS dispatchers. In the whole study group, cardiac disorders were the most common underlying cause of cardiac arrest (70.35%). The median time of ambulance arrival to the scene was significantly shorter in urban areas compared to rural areas (median time 6 min and 12 min, respectively). Conclusions:No significant relation was found between the location of OHCA and ROSC despite the fact that the time to ambulance arrival was significantly shorter in urban areas. In rural areas, resuscitation was more frequently initiated by the event witnesses. Both in urban and rural areas, OHCA was most commonly due to cardiac causes, and the initial recorded cardiac rhythm was a non-shockable one.

Background: Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is still low. For every minute without resuscitation the likelihood of survival decreases.One critical step is initiation of immediate, high quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of this subgroup analysis of data collected for the European Registry of Cardiac Arrest Study number 2 (EuReCa TWO) was to investigate the association between OHCA survival and two types of bystander CPR namely: chest compression only CPR (CConly) and CPR with chest compressions and ventilations (FullCPR).Method: In this subgroup analysis of EuReCa TWO, all patients who received bystander CPR were included. Outcomes were return of spontaneous circulation and survival to 30-days or hospital discharge. A multilevel binary logistic regression analysis with survival as the dependent variable was performed.Results: A total of 5884 patients were included in the analysis, varying between countries from 21 to 1444. Survival was 320 (8%) in the CConly group and 174 (13%) in the FullCPR group. After adjustment for age, sex, location, rhythm, cause, time to scene, witnessed collapse and country, patients who received FullCPR had a significantly higher survival rate when compared to those who received CConly (adjusted odds ration 1.46, 95% confidence interval 1.17À1.83). Conclusion:In this analysis, FullCPR was associated with higher survival compared to CConly. Guidelines should continue to emphasise the importance of compressions and ventilations during resuscitation for patients who suffer OHCA and CPR courses should continue to teach both.