Background: The literature shows that many physicians lack knowledge and skills in resuscitation. This is problematic as critical incidents associated with cardiac arrest are related to lack of knowledge and poorly organized teamwork. Furthermore, lack of compliance with resuscitation guidelines is associated with lower survival. Training in resuscitation is therefore important to improve teamwork and maintain knowledge and skills. However, at Aarhus University Hospital (AUH) only 42 % of the physicians have participated in the mandatory resuscitation courses.
Aim: This thesis aims to investigate the factors influencing physicians' participation in resuscitation courses at AUH and how these factors encourage or discourage participation. On this basis are proposed some recommendations of change in order to increase the physicians' course participation.
Methods: The study is based on a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach with the qualitative interview as a method. Six semistructured interviews have been conducted with physicians with different titles and from different departments at AUH. These provide empirical basis of an in-depth analysis and interpretation, inspired by Paul Ricoeur's thinking.
Results: Four themes are seen to have an impact on physicians' participation in resuscitation courses: Motivation, organizational influence, the role of the management and the system. The following factors are seen to encourage or discourage participation: The physicians' motivation and assessment of meaningfulness and relevance of the course as well as organization and prioritization at the ward, including time, limits and demands, course registration form and work plan. The role and responsibilities of departmental management, including management of participation demands, leadership style, prioritization and culture of the ward. As well the hospital top management, their objectives and requirements of the resuscitation course and choice of overall management.
Conclusion: Based on the findings these recommendations are proposed to potentially increase physicians' participation in resuscitation courses. Clarification and dissemination of course objective and evidence, differentiation of course frequency and content, to ensure time and environment at the ward and automatic course enrollment. Increased awareness of the ward culture is required and the courses should be considered mandatory and prioritized equally with other tasks. Departmental management should motivate, control and effectuate physicians' participation, and the top management should verbalise demands and expectations to departmental management and motivate and monitor this. As a last option exhibition or other consequences may be used.