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Readiness to Perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: An Emerging Strategy Against Sudden Cardiac Death

From the Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine (R.P.N.), Faculty of Medicine, and School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada (E.W.), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Emergency Medicine (M.S.), Mineral Springs Hospital, Banff, Alberta, Canada; Division of Emergency Medicine (B.H.R.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Cambridge Memorial Hospital (D.S.), Waterloo Region Base Hospital Program, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (S.Z.), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Address reprint requests to: Dr. Rob Nolan, Centre for Health Promotion, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Suite 110, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1G 5Z3. Email: nolan{at}zeus.med.uottawa.ca

OBJECTIVES: This investigation assessed motivational factors and psychosocial barriers that affect individual readiness to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This is the first study to use the Transtheoretical model in assessing readiness to perform CPR.

METHODS: A sample of 786 subjects, 45 years of age and who resided in a private residence, were randomly selected to participate in a structured telephone interview. Data on motivational readiness, emotional state, perceived psychosocial barriers, and perceived efficacy in performing CPR were collected using dichotomous and Likert-type ratings.

RESULTS: Subjects with greater motivational readiness expected to experience significantly fewer symptoms of emotional distress during a cardiac emergency and to encounter fewer psychosocial barriers. This group also reported greater efficacy in their ability to perform CPR. These findings were independent of gender, medical history, age, and educational level.

CONCLUSIONS: Meaningful differences are apparent in individual readiness to perform CPR. These findings provide additional support for the need to tailor CPR training strategies using behavioral methods that enhance motivational readiness and decrease apprehension about anticipated emotional distress and psychosocial barriers.

Key Words: cardiopulmonary resuscitation • transtheoretical model • bystander response • medical decision making • emergency cardiac care

Abbreviations: CPR = cardiopulmonary resuscitation; TTM =transtheoretical model.

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