Effects of native language on CPR skills and willingness to intervene in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest after film-based basic life support training: a subgroup analysis of a randomised trial

Objectives The aim was to investigate whether the students' native language, Swedish as native language (SNL) versus other native language (ONL), affects cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills or willingness to act after film-based training in Swedish. Setting 13-year-old students in two municipalities. Design A subgroup from a previous randomised study was analysed. During 2013 to 2014, a film-based CPR method was evaluated. Practical skills and willingness to act were assessed directly after training and after 6 months. CPR skills were evaluated using a modified Cardiff test. Participants A total of 641 students were included in the analysis (SNL, n=499; ONL, n=142). Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary endpoint was the total score of the modified Cardiff test at 6 months. The secondary endpoints were total score directly after training, individual variables for the test and self-reported willingness to act. Results At the practical test, SNL students scored better than ONL students; directly after training, 67% vs 61% of maximum score, respectively (p<0.001); at 6 months, 61% vs 56% of maximum score (p<0.001). Most students were willing to perform compressions and ventilation on a friend (SNL 85% vs ONL 84%). However, if the victim was a stranger, ONL students were more willing to perform both compressions and ventilation than SNL students (52% vs 38% after training, p<0.001; 42% vs 31% at 6 months, p=0.032). SNL students preferred to initiate chest compressions only. Conclusions SNL students scored slightly higher in the practical CPR skill test than ONL students. Willingness to act was generally high, however ONL students reported higher willingness to perform both compressions and ventilation if the victim was a stranger. Further research is needed to investigate how CPR educational material should be designed and simplified for optimal learning by students. Different language versions or including feedback in CPR training can be a way to increase learning. Ethics approval The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board of Linkoping, Sweden (2013/358-31).