Evaluating barriers to community CPR education

Kyle A Fratta; Andrew J Bouland; Roumen Vesselinov; Matthew J Levy; Kevin G Seaman; Benjamin J Lawner; Jon Mark Hirshon

doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2019.10.019

Evaluating barriers to community CPR education

Am J Emerg Med. 2020 Mar;38(3):603-609. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2019.10.019. Epub 2019 Nov 18.

Authors

Kyle A Fratta¹, Andrew J Bouland², Roumen Vesselinov³, Matthew J Levy⁴, Kevin G Seaman⁵, Benjamin J Lawner⁶, Jon Mark Hirshon⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lillington, NC, United States. Electronic address: Kafratta0602@email.campbell.edu.
² Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, VA, United States; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
³ Charles "McC" Mathias National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Systems, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
⁴ Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
⁵ Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Baltimore, MD, United States.
⁶ Department of Emergency Medicine, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
⁷ Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.

PMID: 31866250
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2019.10.019

Abstract

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to better understand the preferences of the general public regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education as it relates to both format and the time and place of delivery.

Methods: Survey data were collected from a convenience sample at large public gatherings in Baltimore, Maryland, between May 23, 2015, and February 11, 2017. The survey was a 23-item single-page instrument administered at fairs and festivals.

Results: A total of 516 surveys were available for analysis. Twenty-four percent of the total population reported being very confident in performing CPR (scoring 8 to 10 on a Likert scale). Thirty-two percent of respondents who had previously taken a CPR class reported being very confident in performing CPR. A stepwise decline in reported confidence in performing CPR was observed as the time from last CPR class increased. Among all respondents the most favored instruction style was an instructor-led class. Least favorable was a local learning station at an event. The most favored location for instruction were libraries, while community festivals were least favored.

Conclusion: Respondent preferences regarding the location and style of the training differed little between socioeconomic groups. Instructor-led instruction at local libraries was the most preferred option. CPR education offered at local learning stations during events and at community festivals were least favored among respondents. This study's findings can be used to more effectively structure CPR outreach and educational programs in an attempt to increase rates of bystander CPR.

MeSH terms

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / education*
Community-Based Participatory Research / methods*
Emergency Medical Services / methods*
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Learning*
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest / therapy*
Retrospective Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires