Evaluating the Effectiveness of Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Training for Family Medicine Residents in Saudi Arabia

Background: This study aims to assess the knowledge level of family medicine physicians in Saudi Arabia, regarding basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS). Recognizing the importance of timely and effective resuscitation in emergency medical care, the study explores the physicians' proficiency in key resuscitation concepts and identifies areas for improvement.

Methodology: Conducted as an observational cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia, the research involved family medicine physicians from major hospital centers. A self-administered questionnaire, adapted from previous studies, was utilized to collect demographic data and assess knowledge related to BLS and ACLS.

Results: The demographic analysis revealed a predominantly male participant base (52.3%), with a majority having clinical practice experience of five years or less (74.4%). The survey highlighted positive trends in BLS course attendance, with 60.5% having undergone training within the last year. However, the study identified gaps in ACLS course attendance, as 37.2% reported never having attended such a course. The knowledge assessment unveiled varying proficiency levels among participants, with critical gaps identified in recognizing the full form of automated external defibrillator (AED) (28.5%) and airway maneuvers (20.9%).

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for ongoing education in resuscitation for family medicine physicians, with targeted interventions to address gaps in AED use and airway management. While BLS course attendance shows proactive engagement, increased focus on ACLS training is necessary to further improve resuscitation skills.