The effect of two forms of learning reinforcement upon parental retention of CPR skills

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of two forms of reinforcement upon the retention of CPR psychomotor skills in parents of high-risk infants.

Method: A pretest/posttest, 3-group design was done with a sample of 69 parent volunteers. Reinforcement with hands on practice was given to one group; a second group had reinforcement by observing a videotape, and the third group had no reinforcement strategy. CPR skills were measured by a checklist.

Findings: Paired t-test showed significant differences in pretest and posttest scores for all three groups. Several CPR skills were missed on the final test more frequently than others. One-way ANOVA also showed a significant difference when comparing the control group with the hands-on reinforcement group.

Conclusions: Reinforcement of CPR skills should be an ongoing process. The groups who had reinforcement with hands-on practice retained the most skills.