Cardiac arrest survivorship: A mixed methods study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cardiac Arrest Awareness and Long-Term Quality of Life: A Mixed Methods Study of the Experiences and Psychological Consequences of Adult Cardiac Arrest
IRAS ID
264874
Contact name
Charles Deakin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
New York University School of Medicine
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In the US there were over 500,000 cardiac arrests in 2016, and in the UK an estimated 30,000 cardiac arrests occurred outside of hospital. As greater numbers of patients survive cardiac arrest, more understanding of patients’ well-being following this life-threatening event is needed. While survival is clearly of paramount importance, quality of life beyond this experience is a key factor in determining health outcomes for patients.
This is a cross sectional study with a mixed methods design, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with a mix of open and closed ended questions. This project will be carried out in two phases. In the first phase, adult patients who experienced a cardiac arrest will be invited to complete online screening questionnaires and open-ended questions. A purposive sample of patients who reported some psychological sequelae will be assigned to Phase II-Group A and will be invited to an interview relating to the psychological outcomes and their long-term impact. Cardiac arrest participants who do not experience memories or cognitive experiences will be assigned to a control group B to compared real or imagined experiences between groups.
Our long-term goal is to improve health and psychological care for cardiac arrest survivors, through greater understanding of the psychological sequelae. The study will investigate the psychological consequences of cardiac arrest, with specific focus on the prevalence of anxiety, depression and post- traumatic stress disorder. The study will also explore survivors’ experiences of awareness or any other memories from a period during the time of cardiac arrest.
The study will lead to greater understanding of the experience of cardiac arrest, and recommendations will be made for the improvement of psychological care for this population
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0318
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion