The effect of two forms of learning reinforcement upon parental retention of CPR skills
Komelasky, A.L.; Bond, B.S.
Pediatric Nursing 19(1): 96
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0097-9805 PMID: 8446488 Document Number: 408493
To evaluate the effect of two forms of reinforcement upon the retention of CPR psychomotor skills in parents of high-risk infants. 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. 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. Reinforcement of CPR skills should be an ongoing process. The groups who had reinforcement with hands-on practice retained the most skills.