Simulation-Based CPR Workshop for University Students at Eastern International University

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a serious public health challenge, with low survival rates in many countries, including Vietnam, where bystander CPR is rarely performed, and AEDs are seldom used in public. Previous studies in Vietnam show limited CPR knowledge, skills, and willingness to act among non-healthcare university students. Despite evidence supporting simulation-based CPR education in other countries, no randomized controlled trial has evaluated such an intervention for this population in Vietnam. This study is a randomized waitlist-controlled trial designed to evaluate a simulation-based CPR workshop for university students at Eastern International University. Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a waitlist control group. The intervention group will receive the workshop immediately, while the waitlist control group will receive it after the follow-up assessment, ensuring equitable training for all participants. The workshop, based on the NLN Jeffries Simulation Framework and aligned with American Heart Association guidelines, includes pre-briefing, instructor-led demonstrations, hands-on skill practice with manikins, realistic scenario simulations, and structured debriefing. Training emphasizes high-quality chest compressions, effective ventilations, AED use, scene safety, and teamwork. Primary outcomes will focus on improvements in CPR skills, assessed using a standardized performance checklist. Secondary outcomes will measure CPR knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy using validated instruments. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately post-training, and at three months follow-up. Statistical analyses will include repeated measures ANOVA to assess changes over time and between groups. By addressing a critical gap in Vietnam's CPR education, this study aims to provide empirical evidence supporting the integration of simulation-based CPR training into non-medical university curricula. If proven effective, the model could be scaled to other educational and community settings, contributing to improved bystander CPR rates and better OHCA survival outcomes.