GPs who volunteer to be first responders for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative study

Abstract

GPs contribute significantly to survival from cardiac arrest. In Ireland, emergency medical services now alert volunteer GP first responders. GPs volunteer for this role because of their relationship to the community. GP first responders provide holistic cardiac arrest care including basic life support, team working with paramedics, critical decision-making and psychosocial care for bystanders and family members. ABSTRACTBackground: 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-oflife care. ARTICLE HISTORY

What motivates and demotivates emergency response volunteers? A survey-based factor analysis study

“…This research has concerned initiatives such as Sms-lifesavers and community first responders (CFR) [ 3 – 8 ]. This research has typically been conducted on small samples of volunteers using qualitative approaches such as interviews or focus groups [ 9 – 12 ]. As a result, many themes have been proposed as important for how volunteers experience their role and their motivation for continuing.…”

190 Professional prehospital clinicians' experiences of ethical challenges associated with the collaboration with organised voluntary first responders: A qualitative study

“…It has been reported that some volunteers Sørensen et al J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med (2023) 31:79 participate as first responders for the thrill and to obtain an "adrenaline rush". This group includes not only laypersons but also general practitioners who wish to receive an "adrenaline rush" [36] as a VFR. Voluntary laypersons describe other voluntary laypersons as "blue-light junkies" [2].…”

Potential for Paramedic roles in Irish General Practice: A qualitative study of stakeholder’s perspectives

“…At the outset we targeted a total sample of between 16-20 participants with approximate thirds representing Paramedics, GPs, and Practice Nurses/Managers (as a combined group). We based this sample size target on our previous experience of conducting qualitative research and the overall aim of achieving a thorough understanding of the phenomenon under study [28][29][30] .…”