Nivel de conocimiento sobre Soporte Vital Básico en estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca - Matriz, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Basic life support encompasses essential maneuvers for addressing cardiorespiratory arrests, proving crucial for enhancing patient survival. However, its effectiveness faces challenges due to the level of knowledge, particularly among medical students, who will play a vital role in emergencies. The objective was to evaluate the level of knowledge in basic life support among students in the medical program at the Catholic University of Cuenca, in 2025. Methodology: The study employed an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional design, utilizing a validated questionnaire based on international guidelines to assess the level of knowledge in basic life support. The study population comprised 1781 students. The sample consisted of 316 students selected through stratified proportional sampling, based on academic semester and curriculum. Results: Thirty-one point six percent (31.6%) of the participants obtained an acceptable level of knowledge, while only 9.5% reached a high level. Thirteen percent (13%) demonstrated insufficient knowledge. Students in higher semesters from the 2017 curriculum showed better results compared to those in lower semesters from the 2021 curriculum. The main weaknesses were identified in questions related to specific Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques. Conclusions: Although the majority reached an acceptable level, significant gaps persist, especially in initial semesters. These findings support the need to reinforce the practical and theoretical teaching of Basic Life Support (BLS) from the early levels. Improving this competence would positively impact pre-hospital care and health education policy.