Barriers and Willingness to Undertake Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Reported by Medical Students Dependent on Their Place of Residence-A Single-Center Study

• Published in: Reviews in cardiovascular medicine 2024-12, Vol.25 (12), p.451
• Main Authors: Jaskiewicz, Filip, Bieliński, Jakub R, Jedrzejczak, Adam, Huntley, Riley
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; cpr; education; Original Research; out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; resuscitation
• ISSN: 1530-6550; 2153-8174; 2153-8174
• DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2512451

Bystander-administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial for the survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. However, only roughly 58% of bystanders would provide CPR, with wide variations across different regions. Identifying each factor affecting the barrier or readiness to perform resuscitation is a significant challenge for researchers. This study aimed to evaluate the obstacles preventing first-year medical students from initiating CPR, focusing on the size of domestic residential environments and the time and methodology of practical training. The original online questionnaire surveyed first-year medical students at the Medical University of Łódź from February 1 to March 2, 2024. The questionnaire development involved a literature review, expert evaluation, and pilot testing. Participation was voluntary and anonymous, with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were analyzed using PQStat software, employing descriptive statistics. The study revealed that 271 medical students reported a similar median of barriers regardless of the place of residence (median (Me) = 5, interquartile range (IQR) 2-6.25 vs. Me = 4, IQR 3-6 vs. Me = 4, IQR 3-6, = 0.620). Out of 18 analyzed barriers, the only significant difference was found for crowded places. Medical students living in cities most frequently reported a willingness to perform CPR with rescue breaths for all victims. Those who grew up in towns