Does the British Heart Foundation PocketCPR Training Application Improve Confidence in Bystanders Performing CPR?

Objectives: Out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has poor prognosis and patients rarely survive unless they receive immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from bystanders. In 2012, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) launched their PocketCPR training application to simplify bystander CPR training and overcome barriers to resuscitation. This study investigates whether the BHF PocketCPR training application improves the confidence of bystanders who perform CPR during simulated resuscitation attempts.

Methods: This is a mixed method study using a randomised crossover trial with questionnaire analysis. 120 participants were randomised to either perform 2 minutes of CPR on a resuscitation manikin using the BHF PocketCPR application or perform CPR without instruction. Participants completed a questionnaire to capture their confidence before completing the opposite arm of the study. Each participant then completed a second questionnaire to allow for comparison of levels of confidence.

Results: Participants in this study were more confident in their overall performance of CPR using the BHF PocketCPR training application compared to performing CPR without instruction (mean confidence score (0-100): 50.41 with PocketCPR and 43.92 without (p=0.026)). They were also more confident that the number of chest compressions in this study was correct (mean: 60.39 with PocketCPR Vs 46.10 without ((p<0.001)), and in the delivery of CPR without having recent CPR training (mean: 48.67 with BHF PocketCPR vs 39.79 without, (p<0.002)).

Conclusion: The BHF PocketCPR training application improved the confidence of bystanders performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation during simulated resuscitation attempts.