Resuscitation 81 (2010) 1212–1213

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Resuscitation
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/resuscitation

Letter to the Editor

Systematic development of web based CPR instruction in the References

emerging global smart phone era
Sir,
We have read the article by Saraç and Ok with great interest.1
We completely agree with their conclusion and would like to add
our opinion about the study.
Recently smart phones such as the iPhone and Blackberry have
brought significant change to communication methods and the
acquisition of information. Rapid spread of these devices has been
associated with new trends of communication in the Republic of
South Korea. The public can use existing audio communication as
1. Saraç L, Ok A. The effects of different instructional methods on students’
acquisition and retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills. Resuscitation
2010;81:555–61.
2. Choa M, Park I, Chung HS, et al. The effectiveness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation
instruction: animation versus dispatcher through a cellular phone. Resuscitation
2008;77:87–94.
3. Zanner R, Wilhelm D, Feussner H, et al. Evaluation of M-AID, a first aid application
for mobile phones. Resuscitation 2007;74:487–94.
4. Teague G, Riley RH. Online resuscitation training. Does it improve high school
students’ ability to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a simulated envi-
ronment? Resuscitation 2006;71:352–7.
5. You JS, Park S, Chung SP, et al. Performance of cellular phones with video telephony
in the use of automated external defibrillators by untrained laypersons. Emerg
Med J 2008;25:597–600.

well as the 3G cellular phone with video-telephony and wireless

web access on a real time basis. Currently, the acquisition of new Je Sung You
information and knowledge with smart phones has become easy Department of Emergency Medicine,
and rapid. However, several studies such as the study reported by Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Saraç and Ok1 showed that web-based instruction of cardiopul- Republic of Korea
monary resuscitation (CPR) had a relatively lower effectiveness Jong Woo Park
with regard to performance quality, compared to more traditional Department of Emergency Medicine,
training techniques. In particular, CPR instructional methods based Changwon Fatima Hospital, Changwon,
on video-clips or web programs showed poor performance quality Republic of Korea
for the chest compression depth and rate compared to the tradi-
tional instructional methods.2,3 However, online training for the Sung Pil Chung
acquisition of knowledge for CPR can be an effective instruction Department of Emergency Medicine,
modality.4 Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul,
Taking into consideration the current limitations of web- Republic of Korea
based instructional methods, there are also important potential Saehwan Park ∗
benefits of web-based CPR instruction. First, ubiquitous access Suanbo Regional Clinic for National Healthcare Agency,
is guaranteed. One can easily access the web program when- Oncheon-ri, Suanbo-myeon,
ever and wherever desired. Second, these devices may increase 380-943, Chungju,
public interest in CPR. The web-based CPR instruction methods Republic of Korea
using new multimedia resources on smart phone platforms will
provide a good source of information once organized protocols ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +82 43 850 4490.
are established and supportive systematic programs are devel- E-mail address:dr.park.cardiology@gmail.com
oped. (S. Park)
Recent studies have shown that the development of new
audio–video instruction materials are important for communicat- 27 March 2010
ing first aid education such as AED and CPR using 3G cellular doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.03.043
phone technology with video-telephony5 ; such systematic instruc-
tion should also be established for web-based instruction on Reply to Letter: Systematic development of web based CPR
new devices including smart phones with improvement of the instruction in the emerging global smart phone era
performance quality. The development of such technology with
widespread information on CPR might expand the public interest Sir,
and perhaps save lives in the future.
We thank you for your comments on our study. Our study
Conflict of interest revealed the importance and necessity of the instructor guidance
and practical experience for the acquisition of CPR knowledge
None. and skills. Also, the feedback and motivation provided by the

0300-9572/$ – see front matter © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.