Comparison the impact of face-to-face training package for resuscitation with presentation by messaging software on emergency medicine rotation interns

Introduction: Conventional approaches in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) are used, including; lectures, video presentations, practical educations on moulage, also employing messenger applications can potentially be regarded as a method to train interns. Objectives: The current study aims to compare two methods of face-to-face and virtual training by WhatsApp messenger, regarding the impact of training on interns’ knowledge and satisfaction for advanced cardio resuscitation rotational interns in emergency medicine. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 73 rotation interns of emergency medicine of Tehran University of Medical Sciences from 2017 to 2018 were divided into two groups: 1) face-to-face training, 2) virtual training by using WhatsApp messenger application. Initially, a pretest of 10 questions about main topics in advanced cardiac support was conducted on interns. At the end of training course, a posttest of 20 questions was conducted for both groups. Results: Mean value of pretest was 6.46 for face-to-face training group and 5.97 for WhatsApp group (P=0.29). Posttest mean score was 14.08 for face-to-face group and 12.03 for WhatsApp (P=0.003). Interns’ satisfaction scores were 7.68 and 7.36 for face-to-face and WhatsApp group respectively (P=0.25). Mean scores of pretest and posttest within group had no significant differences between groups, but Cohen’s effect size for face-to-face group was greater than WhatsApp trained group. Conclusion: Face-to-face training was associated with better results in promoting knowledge of interns, compared to WhatsApp training. That’s advisable to employ face-to-face training for interns.