Effectiveness of a PowerPoint-based rapid decision support system in ACLS refresher training: A randomized trial

Abstract

A PowerPoint-based rapid decision support system (RDSS) was evaluated as a low-resource adjunct to standard Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) refresher training in a single-center randomized trial involving 40 postgraduate year-2 (PGY-2) physicians. Participants were assigned to receive a 10-min RDSS orientation plus a 60-min ACLS refresher, or a 60-min refresher alone. Compared to control, the RDSS group demonstrated significantly higher technical (treatment) scores (3.90 vs 3.40; p = 0.012; Cohen's d = 0.85) and total performance scores (8.2 vs 7.6; p = 0.015; d = 0.84), and a shorter response time (time from scenario onset to the first medical order; 17.8 vs 21.7 s; mean difference 3.9 s; p = 0.038; d = 0.68). Judgment scores were numerically higher in the RDSS group but did not differ significantly (4.31 vs 4.21; p = 0.22). Self-reported confidence (1–10 scale) improved significantly within both groups and was significantly higher in the RDSS group after training (6.00 vs 4.95; p = 0.0015). These results support the feasibility of integrating a PowerPoint-based RDSS into ACLS education to enhance technical performance, response time, and confidence, highlighting its potential for resource-limited settings and warranting further investigation.