Short summary

Aim: This PhD project explores stakeholder perspectives on voluntary first responders programs in Denmark, focusing on opportunities and challenges. Method: Using a qualitative, phenomenological-hermeneutic approach and Interpretive Phenomenology Analysis, data is collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically or via systematic text condensation. Conclusion: The project aims to recommend improvements to enhance voluntary first responders programs and emergency care.

Rationale

In Denmark, approximately 5000 people suffer from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) every year. The chances of survival increase when there are people who witness the cardiac arrest and alert the Emergency Medical Services and initiating early onset cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Therefore, several programs have been established employing civil volunteer responders to OHCA. Intuitively, CVR should be a straightforward, beneficial activity that ensures quick and effective CPR. However, the programs are embedded into a complex interaction between professional operators, context, and non-professional actors, sometimes without formal training. The aim is to examine different stakeholders' perspectives and aspects related to the first responder programs. This project has five sub-studies, focusing on the motivation of different stakeholders and perspectives on potentials and challenges in the interaction between prehospital healthcare professionals, relatives and first responders.

Description of the cohort

Sub-study I ) Persons affiliated with the HeartRunner program in Denmark as CVR who do not have a health professional background. Sub-study II: Persons affiliated with the HeartRunner program in Denmark as CVR have not been alerted by the app. Sub-study III) Persons who have experienced voluntary first responders, e.g. HeartRunners, in their private home in relation to an OHCA. Sub-study IV: Persons who privately own an AED and have made it publicly available. Sub-study V) Prehospital anesthesiologists, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics who are a part of the established prehospital response team in the event of OHCA

Data and biological material

Individual, semi-structured interviews

Collaborating researchers and departments

The Prehospital Research Unit, Region of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital

Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

Publications associated with the project

Sørensen OB, Milling L, Laerkner E, Mikkelsen S, Bruun H. Professional prehospital clinicians' experiences of ethical challenges associated with the collaboration with organised voluntary first responders: a qualitative study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2023 Nov 14;31(1):79. doi: 10.1186/s13049-023-01147-0. PMID: 37964364; PMCID: PMC10644536.