Characteristics and motivational factors for joining a lay responder system dispatch to out-of-hospital cardiac arrests

Abstract

Background There has been in increase in the use of systems for organizing lay responders for suspected out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) dispatch using smartphone-based technology. The purpose is to increase survival rates; however, such systems are dependent on people’s commitment to becoming a lay responder. Knowledge about the characteristics of such volunteers and their motivational factors is lacking. Therefore, we explored characteristics and quantified the underlying motivational factors for joining a smartphone-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) lay responder system. Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 800 consecutively recruited lay responders in a smartphone-based mobile positioning first-responder system (SMS-lifesavers) were surveyed. Data on characteristics and motivational factors were collected, the latter through a modified version of the validated survey “Volunteer Motivation Inventory” (VMI). The statements in the VMI, ranked on a Likert scale (1–5), corresponded to(a) intrinsic (an inner belief of doing good for others) or (b) extrinsic (earning some kind of reward from the act) motivational factors. Results A total of 461 participants were included in the final analysis. Among respondents, 59% were women, 48% between 25 and 39 years of age, 37% worked within health care, and 66% had undergone post-secondary school. The most common way (44%) to learn about the lay responder system was from a CPR instructor. A majority (77%) had undergone CPR training at their workplace. In terms of motivation, where higher scores reflect greater importance to the participant, intrinsic factors scored highest, represented by the category values (mean 3.97) followed by extrinsic categories reciprocity (mean 3.88) and self-esteem (mean 3.22). Conclusion This study indicates that motivation to join a first responder system mainly depends on intrinsic factors, i.e. an inner belief of doing good, but there are also extrinsic factors, such as earning some kind of reward from the act, to consider. Focusing information campaigns on intrinsic factors may be the most important factor for successful recruitment. When implementing a smartphone-based lay responder system, CPR instructors, as a main information source to potential lay responders, as well as the workplace, are crucial for successful recruitment.

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

“…Further, one area which has not been explored to date is how volunteers experience the alerts they receive and being dispatched to emergencies, and how this in turn impacts their motivation. Högstedt and colleagues explicitly identify a need for further research on how the frequency of alerts impact the motivation to continue as volunteers [ 13 ].…”

“…Högstedt and colleagues studied Sms-lifesavers motivation through categories derived from Self-determination theory (SDT) and found that Sms-lifesavers were mainly motivated by intrinsic factors [ 13 ]. The basic assumption for SDT is that humans are inclined to develop themselves and form a unified self, where different characteristics of the self as well as social relationships to other people are connected and integrated with each other [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Follow-up on volunteer responders dispatched for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests: Addressing the psychological and physical impact

“…It has been shown that people mainlyjoin due to intrinsic factors such as a desire to do good. 19 Recruitment campaigns often appeal to such intrinsic factors with slogans as “You can save a life”. A qualitative study examined people’s reasons for joining a volunteer responder program.…”

“…A qualitative study examined people’s reasons for joining a volunteer responder program. 19 The authors found that volunteer responders were motivated to participate based on a desire to make a contribution to the community and the satisfaction in ‘saving a life’. 12 However, being involved in a cardiac arrest situation may differ from volunteer responders’ initial expectations.…”

Segítség a távolból – A videoasszisztált újraélesztés jelene és jövője

“…A technikai tényezőkön túl -de legalább olyan jelentősen -meg kell említeni a segítségnyújtás pszichés és érzelmi hatásait is, melyek elősegíthetik, de akár korlátozhatják vagy meg is akadályozhatják a segítségnyújtást. A kedvezőtlen pszichés és érzelmi reakciók csökkentésével foglalkozni kell azért, hogy a potenciális segítségnyújtók minden tekintetben (szakmailag, érzelmileg/ pszichésen és technikailag) felkészülhessenek az esetleges valós keringésmegállások ellátására [34,35].…”