Clinical Research Directory

Gamified Approach To Burn Education

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether different educational strategies can improve knowledge acquisition regarding burn prevention and first aid among students enrolled in a community-based preparatory course. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does participation in a serious digital game improve knowledge about burn prevention and first aid compared with a traditional lecture? Researchers will compare a serious digital game with a face-to-face educational lecture to determine differences in knowledge acquisition and participant satisfaction between the two educational approaches. Participants will: Receive a brief (5 minutes) standardized introductory explanation about basic concepts of burns; Be randomized to participate in either a serious digital game or a face-to-face educational lecture; Complete knowledge assessment questionnaires prior to and after the intervention; Complete a satisfaction questionnaire; Attend a follow-up assessment two weeks after the intervention.

A Study on the Impact of a New Canton-Wide First Responder System in Zug, Switzerland, on Survival After Adult Cardiac Arrest-Examining Early Life-Saving Organized Help, Fast Defibrillation, and Improved Outcomes for Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

REVIVE Zug: Improving Emergency Response for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) represents one of the most time-critical medical emergencies, where rapid recognition and immediate intervention are decisive for survival and neurological outcome. Early activation of emergency services, prompt initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and rapid defibrillation using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are key components of the chain of survival. In many regions, organized First Responder systems-such as fire services, police forces, and trained lay responders supported by dispatcher-assisted instructions-arrive at the scene before emergency medical services (EMS) and initiate life-saving measures. Evidence from multiple EMS systems indicates that the early involvement of First Responders is associated with higher rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and improved survival to hospital discharge with favorable neurological outcomes. Regions with well-established First Responder networks consistently report better OHCA outcomes compared with regions without such systems. In the canton of Zug, a comprehensive First Responder system has recently been implemented alongside an established hybrid EMS response model. In this system, resuscitation efforts are led either by an Emergency Physician (EP) or by a highly trained Critical Care Paramedic (CCP), depending on operational availability. Both roles operate within clearly defined competencies and provide the full scope of advanced prehospital care. This hybrid leadership model offers a unique opportunity to examine whether the professional background of the team leader influences resuscitation outcomes in real-world clinical practice. The REVIVE Zug study aims to evaluate the impact of the canton-wide First Responder system on outcomes following OHCA. Key outcomes of interest include ROSC rates, hospital admission after cardiac arrest, the occurrence of shockable rhythms at EMS arrival, and outcomes achieved before EMS arrival. In addition, the study explores whether team leadership by an EP or a CCP is associated with differences in resuscitation outcomes. Further analyses focus on time intervals within the chain of survival, such as time from cardiac arrest to arrival of organized help and time to first defibrillation, as well as on event timing and basic demographic characteristics. The study is based on anonymized data from established EMS quality registries and the national Swiss Reca database. By comparing OHCA cases before and after implementation of the comprehensive First Responder system, the project seeks to provide robust, practice-oriented evidence to inform future development of prehospital emergency care systems in Switzerland and comparable settings.

Analysis of the Efficacy of Pressure Pad vs Pressure Bandage Immobilisation for Snake Bite First Aid in Healthy Volunteers.

Snake bite affects thousands of Australians every year, but few die as a result due to high quality first aid and timely medical care. Good first aid should be simple, standardised, use minimal or readily available equipment, and be able to be utilised effectively with no or minimal training by the rescuer. Over time the first aid methods used to manage snake bite in Australia have been questioned due to issues with efficacy, and some emerging evidence of harm from their use. There is little experimental data in the literature to support current first aid practices, and what exists suggests further research is required. This study aims to examine and compare the effectiveness of two first aid methods by tracking the movement of a mock venom through the body when each first aid method is used. This will provide important information about the suitability of current techniques used in Australia and whether a proposed simpler alternative technique is as effective. Currently, initial treatment of snake bite involves early first aid with the application of a pressure bandage and immobilisation (PBI) of the limb. There is limited data to support the basis of this technique and emerging evidence of harm when applied incorrectly. This project sets out to evaluate PBI compared to another technique involving the application of a pressure pad (PP) at the bite site (which is easier to do, and used in many countries outside of Australia). The project aims to determine whether each technique is effective, and whether the PP technique is at least as effective as PBI. To do this 24 participants will be recruited to undergo study with mock venom injected into their hand or foot and having either PBI or PP applied. The mock venom will then be traced with a gamma camera to determine rate of flow through the lymphatic system, which is how venom travels in the body. It is expected that the project will demonstrate the efficacy of both techniques, and that the PP will be at least as effective as PBI. This will provide a basis for change in the current first aid recommendations for snake bite first aid in Australia, and improve the care provided.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of High Fidelity Simulation and Low Fidelity Simulation in Active External Bleeding Control Management of Caregivers of Elderly Individuals

The elderly population is increasing worldwide. Due to the increase in the elderly population, emergencies related to ageing are also encountered more frequently. One of these emergencies is trauma in the elderly. Traumas are frequently seen in elderly individuals due to physiological deficiencies related to aging as well as environmental factors. External bleeding caused by trauma is also encountered. If first aid to stop active external bleeding is not administered in a timely and correct manner, death due to bleeding can occur. Nowadays, elderly individuals live either with their families, alone, or in institutions. In the event of external bleeding, either the individual themselves, caregiving family members, or staff at the institution should be able to perform first aid to stop the bleeding. Elderly individuals may not be able to perform first aid due to cognitive and neurological deficiencies. The ability of caregivers to provide first aid can be life-saving. If caregivers of elderly individuals are trained in first aid for external bleeding, they can quickly and correctly administer first aid to stop the bleeding. First aid training often consists of didactic education and demonstrations. A training strategy that ensures knowledge retention and skill acquisition is simulation training. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation and low-fidelity (Visually Enhanced Mental Simulation - VEMS) simulation in the skills of caregivers for elderly individuals in managing active external bleeding control. The population of the study will consist of non-health professional caregivers of elderly individuals living in Antakya district of Hatay province. The sample size, calculated using the G Power program, has been determined to include 30 caregivers of elderly individuals. The study consists of four main work packages. In the first stage, the simulation environment will be prepared, and in the second stage, a preliminary application of the project will be conducted. In the third stage, the implementation of the research and the completion of checklists will be ensured. For this, volunteer caregivers of elderly individuals will be identified. After theoretical training is given to the participants, they will be assigned to intervention group 1 (VEMS) and intervention group 2 (high-fidelity simulation) using simple randomization. Following a pre-assessment with low-fidelity simulation, participants will undergo simulation training according to their intervention groups. Subsequently, a final assessment will be conducted using the same lowfidelity simulation. In the final stage, data analysis and interpretation of the findings will be carried out. The collected data will be analyzed statistically, and the significance level will be accepted as p\<0.05. With this study, insight will be provided into the effectiveness of VEMS and high-fidelity simulation in first aid training for active external bleeding for caregivers of elderly individuals. On the other hand, it is planned that the project results will be published in at least one article in journals indexed in the SSCI Expanded.

First Aid Needs of Female Agricultural Workers and the Impact of Basic First Aid Training on Their Knowledge Levels

This study aims to investigate occupational health risks faced by female agricultural workers and their need for first aid training. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of a basic first aid training program in enhancing knowledge and practical skills, thereby improving workplace safety and individual health outcomes.