Sample and sampling method
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Professionals from the primary healthcare teams working in the healthcare facilities of the Catalan Health Institute of the Central Catalonia Territorial Management enrolled in the BLS certification courses that were scheduled in the different health care centres. The University Institute for Research in Primary Health Care Jordi Gol i Gurina (Barcelona, Spain) ethics committee approved the trial study protocol (approval code: 20/195-P).The study is based on two arms: a control arm, which followed training in the usual role-playing methodology, and a second intervention arm, which followed BLS training with a VR programme.In the total of 20 Basic Life Support certification training activities in the different territories organised by the training unit during the study period (March-December 2021), the intervention and control groups were randomly distributed as follows:8 intervention groups in the regions of Bages, Berguedà and Moianès.8 control groups in the regions of Bages, Berguedà and Moianès.2 intervention groups in the region of Anoia.2 control groups in the region of Anoia.A total of 60 students were expected to attend each the intervention and control groups (6 students per group), with a maximum loss of 5% of enrolled students due to unforeseen circumstances, usually of a healthcare nature.Actions carried out within the control arm. The subjects who underwent BLS training according to the usual methodology received a 15-min MS PowerPoint presentation prepared by the CCR, followed by a role-playing simulation using a sensorized torso and with the trainees performing the functions of simulation training. The total duration of this part was 5 h.Actions carried out within the intervention arm. The subjects received BLS training based on a self-training strategy that consisted of using technological and computerised VR material. In this first phase, the training was carried out in group format. Once the training was completed, the students, individually, carried out a practical test using the virtual reality goggles. This second phase had a duration of 30 min per simulation scenario, using a minimum of two scenarios. The training was conducted at the workplace (health centres) and each student was assisted by a qualified instructor. The duration of the training was also of 5 h. The VR equipment consisted of a high-performance personal computer, a professional simulation torso with sensors, HTC Vive Cosmos® VR goggles and a carrying case. The software used was the one available in the virtual reality platform LUDUS (