[Evaluation of a training model for health professionals in the care of critical patients: AIPCAP Study].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the validity, acceptability, and impact on the level of knowledge and skills of Primary Care health professionals of a training model aimed at improving the care of critical patients.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental interventional, multicentre study.

LOCATION

Eight health care teams in Barcelona.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 272 professionals.

INTERVENTIONS

A training program consisting of 48 simulations of acute myocardial infarction and stroke.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

A checklist was used to evaluate critical patient skills, effect of training on the knowledge of the participants, and a satisfaction survey. The training was carried out after 2 series of simulations (AMI+Stroke). In the second series, 3evaluations were made: in situ, one week after, and at 3weeks. Concordance and reliability were measured. The differences in means were analysed using the Student t test for paired data.

RESULTS

A total of 449 knowledge tests were answered, with a higher score being obtained at the end of each simulation (3.89 -SD 1.01 vs. 3.21 -SD 1.09). Doctors obtained better medical scores than nurses (3.81 - SD 0.87 vs. 3.32 - SD 1.15), and professionals with a specialty completed scored more than those in training (MIR) (3.6 - SD 1.08 vs. 3.4 - SD 1.18). The mean score was 7.7 points (SD 1.56) in the first evaluation, and improved to 9.1 points (SD 0.78). The kappa index was greater than 0.40 in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

A training methodology in the management of emergencies in Primary Care based on simulations is valid, reliable and well accepted, achieving an improvement in the level of knowledge and skills of the participating professionals.