The Psychological Impact of Attending Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Volunteer Lay Responders: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

Key Points

• Assessment of the psychological impact on lay responders attending out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
• Conducted a mixed-methods systematic review of existing literature.
• Analyzed the psychological effects based on demographics and situational exposure.
• Identified modifiable factors to reduce distress, such as training and support.
• Mild-to-moderate psychological distress reported by some lay responders.
• Demographics, exposure, and social support significantly influence psychological outcomes.
• Recommendations include enhancing training and providing structured post-event support.