Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effects of intensive first aid training on improving the first aid techniques among community health workers.Methods The study enrolled 180 community health workers who were randomly divided into traditional training group and re-training group,each group with 90 members.Physicians in both groups were given a series of training including theory teaching,operational practice and scene simulation exercise.The re-training group accepted the same training once again after six months.Assessments on both theory and practice were conducted before the training,immediately after the training,3 and 12 months after the training separately to compare the training effects.Results The assessment results between the two groups showed no significant differences in the emergency theories, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation,electric defibrillation,trachea cannula,emergency treatment of trauma and the total scores before training (P > 0.05).All workers′ techniques in both groups significantly improved after the training immediately,then the assessment scores slightly decreased 3 months later.The traditional training group had more obviously decline than the re-training group after one year.Significant differences were found between two groups on every time point after training (P <0.01).The qualified workers in the re-training group were much more than the traditional training group on first aid knowledge as well as practical skills (P <0.01). Conclusion The first aid technology among community physicians needs urgent improving,and the re-training method proved to be more effective.

Key words: emergency medicine, education, community health workers