Exploring How Lay Rescuers Overcome Barriers to Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Qualitative Study.
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine · 2016-12-14 · Qualitative study
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) vary considerably among regions. The chance of survival is increased significantly by lay rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrival. It is well known that for bystanders, reasons for not providing CPR when witnessing an OHCA incident may be fear and the feeling of being exposed to risk. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of why barriers to providing CPR are overcome. METHODS: Using a semi-structured interview guide, 10 lay rescuers were interviewed after participating in eight OHCA incidents. Qualitative content analysis was used. The lay rescuers were questioned about their CPR-knowledge, expectations, and reactions to the EMS and from others involved in the OHCA incident. They also were questioned about attitudes towards providing CPR in an OHCA incident in different contexts. RESULTS: The lay rescuers reported that they were prepared to provide CPR to anybody, anywhere. Comprehending the severity in the OHCA incident, both trained and untrained lay rescuers provided CPR. They considered CPR provision to be the expected behavior of any community citizen and the EMS to act professionally and urgently. However, when asked to imagine an OHCA in an unclear setting, they revealed hesitation about providing CPR because of risk to their own safety. CONCLUSION: Mutual trust between community citizens and towards social institutions may be reasons for overcoming barriers in providing CPR by lay rescuers. A normative obligation to act, regardless of CPR training and, importantly, without facing any adverse legal reactions, also seems to be an important factor behind CPR provision. Mathiesen WT , Bjørshol CA , Høyland S , Braut GS , Søreide E . Exploring how lay rescuers overcome barriers to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a qualitative study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(1):27-32.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Bystanders · Clinician perspective
Related articles
- Experiences and perceptions of lay bystanders responding to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative systematic review. (Medicine (Baltimore), 2026)
- The Real Experience of Lay Responders Performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence. (Public Health Rev, 2024)
- Bystanders' attitudes towards drone delivered Automated External Defibrillators for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A qualitative interview study. (PLoS One, 2025)
- "Shrink back is not my intention": a qualitative exploration of Chinese security guards' experiences with bystander CPR. (BMC Public Health, 2024)
- Experiences and Psychological Influences in Lay Rescuers Performing Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Qualitative Study. (J Acute Med, 2020)
- "Please. Don't. Die.": A Grounded Theory Study of Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. (Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes, 2018)