GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative study
Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of premature mortality. Survival is possible when timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation are available in the community. GPs are well placed to provide early OHCA care and significantly increased rates of survival are...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2020-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of General Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2019.1681194 |
| _version_ | 1818960492682543104 |
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| author | Tomas Barry Suzanne Guerin Mary Headon Gerard Bury |
| author_facet | Tomas Barry Suzanne Guerin Mary Headon Gerard Bury |
| author_sort | Tomas Barry |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of premature mortality. Survival is possible when timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation are available in the community. GPs are well placed to provide early OHCA care and significantly increased rates of survival are achieved when GPs participate in resuscitation. A novel project alerts volunteer GP first responders to nearby OHCAs in Ireland. Objectives To explore the reasons why GPs volunteer to be OHCA first responders and their experience of participation. Methods A qualitative study involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis was undertaken in 2017/18. Fourteen GPs from differing geographical areas in Ireland, who volunteered as OHCA first-responders were recruited to participate by purposive methods. Results GP participation in OHCA voluntary first response was understood as a function of GPs relationship to the community, their ability to manage competing demands in their personal and professional lives and also specific participatory gains. GPs expressed both altruistic motivations and a sense of obligation. GPs described a complex, multifaceted role in providing OHCA first response; they derived an inherent sense of satisfaction in delivering potentially life-saving interventions but also in the provision of holistic, compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families. Participation was not without psychosocial risk for GPs. Conclusion GPs volunteer to provide early OHCA emergency care because of their relationship to the community. Care provided is complex and includes both resuscitation and end-of-life care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T11:58:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-18e84efdbb3544fcb08d94fb26a71d34 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1381-4788 1751-1402 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T11:58:24Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of General Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-18e84efdbb3544fcb08d94fb26a71d342022-12-21T19:41:36ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of General Practice1381-47881751-14022020-12-01261334110.1080/13814788.2019.16811941681194GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative studyTomas Barry0Suzanne Guerin1Mary Headon2Gerard Bury3UCD Centre for Emergency Medical Science, School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College DublinSchool of Psychology, University College DublinUCD Centre for Emergency Medical Science, School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College DublinUCD Centre for Emergency Medical Science, School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College DublinBackground Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of premature mortality. Survival is possible when timely cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation are available in the community. GPs are well placed to provide early OHCA care and significantly increased rates of survival are achieved when GPs participate in resuscitation. A novel project alerts volunteer GP first responders to nearby OHCAs in Ireland. Objectives To explore the reasons why GPs volunteer to be OHCA first responders and their experience of participation. Methods A qualitative study involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis was undertaken in 2017/18. Fourteen GPs from differing geographical areas in Ireland, who volunteered as OHCA first-responders were recruited to participate by purposive methods. Results GP participation in OHCA voluntary first response was understood as a function of GPs relationship to the community, their ability to manage competing demands in their personal and professional lives and also specific participatory gains. GPs expressed both altruistic motivations and a sense of obligation. GPs described a complex, multifaceted role in providing OHCA first response; they derived an inherent sense of satisfaction in delivering potentially life-saving interventions but also in the provision of holistic, compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families. Participation was not without psychosocial risk for GPs. Conclusion GPs volunteer to provide early OHCA emergency care because of their relationship to the community. Care provided is complex and includes both resuscitation and end-of-life care.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2019.1681194primary healthcaregeneral practiceout-of-hospital cardiac arrestqualitative researchemergency responders |
| spellingShingle | Tomas Barry Suzanne Guerin Mary Headon Gerard Bury GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative study European Journal of General Practice primary healthcare general practice out-of-hospital cardiac arrest qualitative research emergency responders |
| title | GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative study |
| title_full | GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative study |
| title_short | GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative study |
| title_sort | gps who volunteer to be first responders for out of hospital cardiac arrest a qualitative study |
| topic | primary healthcare general practice out-of-hospital cardiac arrest qualitative research emergency responders |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2019.1681194 |
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