Knowledge, attitude, perceived confidence and barriers of non-medical staff following basic life support training at a tertiary private hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Basic Life Support (BLS) is an essential skill required to effectively manage emergencies by maintaining cardiac, pulmonary, and cerebral circulation, thereby increasing the chances of survival. BLS training for non-medical hospital staff is extremely necessary, as cardiac arrests can occur anywhere, and immediate response during those critical first minutes determines survival. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, perceived confidence, barriers and t raining feedback of BLS training among non-medical staff of Norvic International Hospital.

Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using census method among 43 non-medical staff who had received BLS training at Norvic International Hospital. The structured questionnaire assessing the knowledge, attitude, perceived confidence, barriers, and training feedback was used to collect participant’s data. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test were calculated using SPSS version 27.

Result: Among the 43 participants, 32(74.4%) reported high knowledge, while 41(95.3%) demonstrated a positive attitude towards basic life support. Approximately 20(46.5%) stated the fe ar of making mistakes as the main barrier, and 18(41.9%) worried about legal concerns. However, majority participants 37(86.0%) showed perceived confidence in performing CPR in case of medical emergencies. No significant association was found between knowledge, attitude, and socio-demographic characteristics.

Conclusion: Although the participants demonstrated satisfactory knowledge, attitude, and perceived confidence, reluctance exists in real-life emergencies due to perceived barriers as fear of making errors and legal concerns. Therefore, addressing participants’ concerns of fear and legal consequences is crucial in future sessions for strengthening the efficiency of such training.