myCPRtrainer

Name: myCPRtrainer
Author: University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:General Public & Enthusiasts

Free

Download on the App Store

App Summary

myCPRtrainer is a public-facing educational app designed to teach the general public basic life-saving skills through a short CPR training video and an interactive simulation game. The associated research highlights that since most cardiac arrests occur at home, prompt bystander CPR is critical, yet significant barriers often prevent family members from receiving traditional training. By providing accessible, on-demand education, the app aims to overcome these barriers and increase the dissemination of life-saving CPR skills.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed at the University of Pennsylvania, myCPRtrainer is a mobile application that delivers pedagogical content on basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The system's primary learning module is a 14-minute instructional video. Following this, an integrated CPR simulator game allows for reinforcement of the material. The interface also provides a refresher video module for skill maintenance, a reference section of frequently asked questions, and connections to external resources for classroom-based training programs.

Evidence & Research Context

Associated research describes sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) as a critical public health issue, with over 75% of events occurring in the home environment.
The authors note that while families of patients with cardiac disease are motivated to learn CPR, they often face significant economic and logistical barriers to traditional training.
The research underscores a knowledge gap regarding accessible CPR educational strategies that effectively overcome barriers from the patient and family member perspective.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is designed as an educational tool for the general public, with particular relevance for families of individuals with cardiac disease. Its primary utility is to deliver foundational CPR knowledge and facilitate periodic skill maintenance. The system does not provide official CPR certification; users requiring certification for professional or other purposes must seek formal, in-person training.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Non-Evaluative Reference

Comparing Two Ways to Teach CPR to Families of Patients with Heart Problems

Abella et al. (2022)

Referenced in academic literature; no direct evaluation of the app

Prompt bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a crucial treatment for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), with the potential to double neurologically intact survival. SCA strikes over 350 000 people annually in the United States. A key challenge is that >75% of SCA events occur in the home, where witnesses are usually family members, most often a spouse; strikingly, most who experience SCA in the home environment die without any attempted CPR by family members. Research has shown that families in which a member or members have cardiac disease are motivated to learn CPR, but significant barriers (eg, economic, access, logistical issues) exist that limit CPR educational opportunities. Investigations that evaluate strategies to increase the dissemination of CPR education to families in real-world settings have remained lacking, representing a key knowledge gap in communication and dissemination. Furthermore, CPR training approaches that address barriers and outcomes from the patient and family member perspective remain poorly developed.

In the Media

CPR Ready initiative brings free Hands-Only CPR and AED Training to local universities

The University of Pennsylvania developed myCPRtrainer to provide accessible CPR training using virtual reality technology that delivers immersive instruction in under five minutes. The app places trainees in a virtual sudden cardiac arrest scenario to practice their newly acquired skills, addressing Philadelphia's low bystander CPR rate of 20.3% which is only half the national average. Students at Temple University used this mobile application as part of the CPR Ready campaign's effort to remove barriers of cost, accessibility, and time from traditional CPR training.

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