Narrative review on first aid knowledge and practice among undergraduate students

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether the published literature demonstrates the knowledge & skills about first aid and CPR in cases of emergency life saving skills developed by under graduate students who have learnt first aid from first aid providers. Methods: An extensive search and numerous evaluation of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted for narrative review. Journal articles were retrieved from three databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC) using the search terms ‘first aid’; ‘resuscitation’; ‘training’; ‘under graduate students’; and ‘college’. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and review findings organized thematically. Results: The search yielded four primary studies of India & other countries under graduate students aged 18–23 years trained by professional first aid providers. Subsequent review identified emergent themes of resuscitative first aid and non-resuscitative first aid. Heterogeneity was apparent in training and evaluation methods, and study quality varied. Reported first aid knowledge retention was mixed. Conclusion: There is a lack of quality evidence to guide optimal training methods and maximize first aid knowledge retention in under graduate college students. To date, research in this area has been limited. Further research is therefore recommended.