Can tablets be used as a simulator for automated external defibrillation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses

Background. A novel, tablet-based auto-mated external defibrillator (AED) simu-lator has been developed to facilitate AED training.Objective. To evaluate if the tablet AED simulator (an AED simulator based on mobile technology (M-AED)) can be suc-cessfully used during cardiopulmonary re-suscitation (CPR) courses. To test medical and dental students’ CPR attitudes, knowl-edge and skills, and evaluate the impact of a one day CPR course.Methods. One hundred and twenty-four medical and dental students of University of Zagreb participated in a basic life sup-port and automated external defibrillator (BLS/AED) course. All students filled out demographic, CPR attitudes and knowl-edge questionnaires before and after the course. Half of the students practised AED skills during the course on a conventional AED trainer (C-AED), and half on M-AED. All underwent assessment of CPR skills after the course with C-AED. Those that used M-AED during training, rated its use.Results. All students successfully complet-ed the assessment of skills after the course, with no significant difference in the num-ber of those who had to be retested be-tween C-AED and M-AED. A significant improvement in CPR attitudes and knowl-edge was noted after the course among all students, with no difference between C-AED and M-AED groups. M-AED as an AED trainer was highly rated.Conclusions. Tablet based AED simula-tors can be effectively utilized during BLS/AED courses as a substitute for conven-tional AED trainers.