In Belgium, the odds of surviving a cardiac arrest outside the hospital are far too low and one medical student is determined to change that.
Dr. Luca Malbrain, currently pursuing an advanced master's in family medicine at KU Leuven, has launched an ambitious study with a clear goal: to boost the Belgian population’s knowledge and confidence in performing basic life support (BLS) and using automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
His motivation? A troubling observation.
“Belgium has very poor results regarding bystander CPR,” Luca explains. “General knowledge is far too low. Many people don’t know what to do or where to find an AED if they even know what it is.”
While Red Cross courses exist, Luca identified a common barrier: time. In our fast-paced lives, carving out hours for training is difficult.
“On site learning is often a big stumbling block. I wanted to create a course that is as easily accessible as possible, that can be executed at every location and moment. That’s where MobieTrain entered the picture.”
Through a connection at KU Leuven, Luca was introduced to MobieTrain, our mobile-first microlearning platform typically used by companies for onboarding and skills training. But this was a different kind of challenge: could mobile learning be repurposed to teach life-saving techniques?
“Belgium has poor results regarding bystander CPR. Many people don’t know what to do or where to find an AED if they even know what it is. I want to check if mobile learning can be repurposed to teach life-saving techniques."
It turns out, yes.
With MobieTrain’s support, Luca developed a crash course in BLS and AED use, complete with videos, visuals, and interactive steps, all structured in a clear, logical sequence. The course, available in Dutch, English and French, guides users through CPR procedures for adults, children, and even infants.
Participants complete an initial questionnaire to assess their current knowledge and willingness to act in emergencies. Then, they complete the MobieTrain e-learning course, followed by a second questionnaire to measure any improvement.
Even at this early stage, the results are promising:
“We already see a positive difference between the first and second questionnaires,” Luca says. “People not only learn, but they feel more confident about helping someone in cardiac arrest.”
One of the course’s strengths? Making learning feel simple, approachable and also enjoyable.
“It’s fun. It’s visual. It’s not overwhelming,” Luca notes. “That’s exactly what we need if we want people to actually engage with it.”
Belgium still lacks a centralised AED registry, making it difficult, even impossible, for citizens to locate the nearest device in an emergency. The Netherlands, in contrast, has implemented a national first responder network, alerting trained citizens via app when someone nearby experiences a cardiac arrest. Luca hopes Belgium can follow suit, and his research could provide the data to drive change.
“This is about saving lives. And the most accessible way to make that happen is education.”
His ultimate goal? To see BLS and AED training integrated into university curricula and made widely available through digital platforms like MobieTrain. “At school, everybody should know how to perform CPR, just as everyone learns about for example maths and philosophy. At companies, there should be a mandatory annual training for all the employees.”
With over 150 people already engaging with the study, interest is clearly there. The challenge now is scaling the project, ensuring regular refresher opportunities, and building partnerships that can bring this learning to the broader public.
“Learning CPR shouldn’t be a one-time, forgettable event,” Luca concludes. “It should be something everyone can revisit, at home, on the train, even on their phone. Because when someone’s life is on the line, seconds matter.”
Are you a Belgian resident? Follow the link to take part in the study and learn the skills that could save a life. Your participation could help shape the future of emergency education in Belgium.