An examination of the theoretical perspectives underlying the ALSG Generic Instructors Course

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to examine some theory that appears to make a contribution to the Generic Instructors Courses (GICs) offered by the Advanced Life Support Group and the Resuscitation Council, UK. Accordingly, it is not an empirical study: rather it is a critical assessment of the contribution made by studies in adult learning to what is perceived and generally presented as an atheoretical course. The course will be described and four contributory theories-experiential learning, group dynamics, situated learning and reflective practice-will be briefly explored. The paper will observe that each of these makes a contribution towards an understanding of the achievements of the GIC. The paper will conclude with a number of recommendations for some small-scale empirical work.

Should there be a UK based advanced trauma course?

“…It is further enhanced by attempts to theorise about the nature of the underpinnings of the ALSG generic instructor course. 6 This seems to be in noticeable contrast with the provision in the US where issues of collaboration and community are subsumed to availability of faculty and the capacity for the course content to speak for itself. In this latter respect, particularly, the course becomes the manual and the manual, the course.…”

Evaluation of the Pediatric Life Support Instructors Courses

“…Some institutions, such as the European Resuscitation Council (ERC), consider that a general instructor course is su cient to train professionals in teaching any type of CPR course (1,3,5). However, the SPNRG considers that instructors should be trained in each practice session of the pediatric CPR course (6), and the results of our study and the participants' opinion support this view.…”

“…In order to achieve a high-quality training process, the main scienti c organizations involved in CPR have designed training courses for instructors. Some have opted for a generic course for adult or pediatric CPR instructors (1,3,5), while others have designed speci c instructor courses for each type of CPR (2,6,7). Accordingly, evaluating participants' performance and the quality of training is essential to improve CPR outcomes.…”

The Advanced Trauma Life Support course: a history of its development and review of related literature

“…The theoretical perspectives of the Generic Instructors Course have been reviewed and this educational model has been recommended for further general medical education. 33 The Advanced Life Support Group, Manchester has produced a specialist pocket guide for teaching. These educational principles are then readily available to medical teachers not already involved in instructing on courses.…”