Factors influencing medical staff’s intentions to implement family-witnessed cardiopulmonary resuscitation: A cross-sectional, multihospital survey

In Taiwan, the current status of family-witnessed resuscitation (FWR) and the factors associated with behavioural intentions to implement FWR have not been systematically examined using representative medical staff.

We explored predictive factors for behavioural intentions to implement FWR among medical staff using constructs from the theory of planned behaviour.

A survey of 1605 medical staff from five hospitals in southern Taiwan was conducted. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire containing theory of planned behaviour constructs and demographic items. The dependent variable was intention to implement FWR, and the independent variables were three theory of planned behaviour constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control) and the demographic characteristics. A generalized estimating equation was used to identify factors associated with the behavioural intentions.

In total, 1122 valid questionnaires revealed that only 3.7% of participants advocated FWR policies. The construct scores for intention to implement FWR were 2.96 (on a five-point Likert scale), and the theory of planned behaviour constructs that significantly predicted intention to implement FWR were positive attitudes and subjective norms (p<0.001). Classification of hospitals (p=0.018) and restrictive provisions for FWR (p=0.004) were additional significant predictors of intention to implement FWR. Moreover, medical staff employed at regional hospitals demonstrated higher intentions, positive attitudes and subjective norms than did those employed at the medical centre.

According to the findings of this study, it may be desirable for administrators to prioritize the implementation of the FWR policy in regional hospitals. We recommend affording the factors of positive attitudes and subjective norms high priority to improve the medical staff’s behavioural intentions of FWR practice.