A Survey of Factors Associated With the Successful Recognition of Agonal Breathing and Cardiac Arrest.

The overall goal of this pilot study is to design and conduct a survey of 9-1-1 call takers in the province of Ontario, Canada to better understand the factors associated with the successful identification of cardiac arrest (including victims with agonal breathing) over the phone. Specific objectives are:

1. To conduct iterative semi-structured interviews to identify behavioural factors influencing identification of cardiac arrest by 9-1-1 call takers;
2. To develop a survey instrument about behavioural factors influencing the ability of 9-1-1 call takers to identify cardiac arrest based on a systematic review of the literature, the results of the semi-structured interviews, and theoretical constructs from the Theory of Planned Behaviour; and
3. To conduct a survey among Ontario 9-1-1 call takers using the survey instrument, and to identify factors and strategies that might be targeted by Knowledge Translation interventions.

The survey will be sent to all full-time and part-time 9-1-1 call takers employed in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as well as the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 9-1-1 call-takers, male or female, full or part-time, employed in an eligible Ambulance Communication Centre

Exclusion Criteria:

• Ambulance Communication Centre Managers, support staff or administrative staff