PRONECT: a multiprofessional training course in the care of the acute myocardial infarction

The Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Recognition and Treatment (PRONECT™) course is a 1-day (3-hour) course originally designed to give doctors greater confidence and ability in the recognition and management of adult patients who have AMI. It may also be suitable for many other groups of health professionals. PRONECT™ was developed using principles common to many advanced life support courses and incorporates aspects of clinical governance, multidisciplinary education and interprofessional working. It incorporates precourse reading, informal and interactive seminars, and role-play during three clinically based scenarios. A novel aspect of PRONECT™ is that participants undertake role interchange during scenarios, thereby facilitating mutual understanding. At all times during the course, participants are encouraged to reflect on their actions and to pay particular attention to detail.

Using initial and final theoretical written tests, after the 3-month courses (36 courses), we assessed the knowledge of aspects of AMI among 900 doctors. The average (± SD) knowledge score was higher for those who had completed a PRONECT™ course, pre-test (545 students) = 23.8 (8.44 ± 1.30) points and post-test (834 students) = 25.3 (9.85 ± 2.12) points (P < 0.05). In addition, those in the post-PRONECT™ group also showed significantly better knowledge about AMI (85.6% [714 doctors]) and acquired skills in treatment an AMI. We have demonstrated evidence that doctors' knowledge of AMI can be improved by attending courses such as PRONECT™.