Abstract
The authors of this survey study used a randomized control design to assess participants' responses to dispatcher direction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) through audio and video modalities. It was their hypothesis that video-assisted CPR would be better than only audio. A total of 180 students participated in the study and filled out post-study surveys that were used to assess each technique. These students, whose average age was 18 years, were randomized into a video-assisted group and an audio-assisted group. An experienced dispatcher, who was also randomized, directed the students through a simulated cardiac arrest requiring CPR on a manikin. Post-CPR surveys suggested that the students who used video were more certain of the correctness of their CPR (49% vs 30%). Though this study was limited by its survey design and the absences of an outside rating of student CPR, it is my belief that it discusses a potentially important avenue to treatment of emergencies in remote areas.
(J Telemed Telecare. 2011;17:88-92) SR Bolle, E Johnsen, M Gilbert.
Prepared By Anil Menon, MD, UTMB/NASA Aerospace Medicine Fellow, Galveston, TX, USA