Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory survey of organisational structures and activities

Background: Cardiac arrest survivors have diverse needs beyond healthcare, including spirituality, social networks, practical, legal, and economic matters, highlighting the need for community-based support. While some non-governmental organisations support various patient groups, little is known abo...

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Main Authors: Lorenzo Gamberini, Kirstie L. Haywood, Sebastian Schnaubelt, Mazarine Thyssens, Federico Semeraro, Koenraad G. Monsieurs, Sachin Agarwal, Mari Blek-Vehkaluoto, Erga Cerchiari, Johan Israelsson, Mary Newman, Paul Swindell, Jellis Vaes, Philipp Tinguely, Elena G. Bignami, Bernd W. Böttiger, Nino Fijačko, Carolina Malta Hansen, Andrew Lockey, Bibiana Metelmann, Camilla Metelmann, Theresa M. Olasveengen, Giuseppe Ristagno, Hans van Schuppen, Kaushila Thilakasiri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Resuscitation Plus
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666520425001237
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author Lorenzo Gamberini
Kirstie L. Haywood
Sebastian Schnaubelt
Mazarine Thyssens
Federico Semeraro
Koenraad G. Monsieurs
Sachin Agarwal
Mari Blek-Vehkaluoto
Erga Cerchiari
Johan Israelsson
Mary Newman
Paul Swindell
Jellis Vaes
Philipp Tinguely
Elena G. Bignami
Bernd W. Böttiger
Nino Fijačko
Carolina Malta Hansen
Andrew Lockey
Bibiana Metelmann
Camilla Metelmann
Theresa M. Olasveengen
Giuseppe Ristagno
Hans van Schuppen
Kaushila Thilakasiri
author_facet Lorenzo Gamberini
Kirstie L. Haywood
Sebastian Schnaubelt
Mazarine Thyssens
Federico Semeraro
Koenraad G. Monsieurs
Sachin Agarwal
Mari Blek-Vehkaluoto
Erga Cerchiari
Johan Israelsson
Mary Newman
Paul Swindell
Jellis Vaes
Philipp Tinguely
Elena G. Bignami
Bernd W. Böttiger
Nino Fijačko
Carolina Malta Hansen
Andrew Lockey
Bibiana Metelmann
Camilla Metelmann
Theresa M. Olasveengen
Giuseppe Ristagno
Hans van Schuppen
Kaushila Thilakasiri
author_sort Lorenzo Gamberini
collection DOAJ
description Background: Cardiac arrest survivors have diverse needs beyond healthcare, including spirituality, social networks, practical, legal, and economic matters, highlighting the need for community-based support. While some non-governmental organisations support various patient groups, little is known about those dedicated to cardiac arrest survivors. The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) conducted a survey to identify and understand these organisations’ structures and activities. Methods: An internet survey developed by the ERC was disseminated through media channels, national resuscitation councils, and social networks. Responses were verified against publicly available information to confirm declared activities and sustained support efforts. Organisations were classified based on whether their primary focus was on cardiac arrest survivors or if support was a secondary activity. Results: Of fifty-six responses, eight organisations were identified as providing structured, continuous support. Six primarily focused on cardiac arrest survivors, while two had a broader scope. Most were established after 2000, with six in Europe and two in the United States. Membership ranged from 520 to 3000 survivors. Common activities included peer support and distributing information materials. Connections with healthcare systems varied, with three reporting none. Only two were represented in their national resuscitation councils (NRCs). Conclusions: Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors are scarce but address important unmet needs. However, public presence is limited, and ties with institutions remain weak. Strengthening collaborations with healthcare providers, NRCs, and stakeholders could enhance support networks and improve long-term post-resuscitation care.
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spelling doaj-art-27d595b4beb84a0dbb2dbbf2a53a3bc12025-08-20T02:17:28ZengElsevierResuscitation Plus2666-52042025-07-012410098610.1016/j.resplu.2025.100986Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory survey of organisational structures and activitiesLorenzo Gamberini0Kirstie L. Haywood1Sebastian Schnaubelt2Mazarine Thyssens3Federico Semeraro4Koenraad G. Monsieurs5Sachin AgarwalMari Blek-VehkaluotoErga CerchiariJohan IsraelssonMary NewmanPaul SwindellJellis VaesPhilipp TinguelyElena G. BignamiBernd W. BöttigerNino FijačkoCarolina Malta HansenAndrew LockeyBibiana MetelmannCamilla MetelmannTheresa M. OlasveengenGiuseppe RistagnoHans van SchuppenKaushila ThilakasiriDepartment of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Maggiore Hospital Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, ItalyWarwick Medical School, University of Warwick, England, United KingdomPULS – Austrian Cardiac Arrest Awareness Association, Vienna, Austria; Emergency Medical Service, Vienna, Austria; Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, AustriaEuropean Resuscitation Council, Niel, BelgiumDepartment of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Maggiore Hospital Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy; European Resuscitation Council, Niel, Belgium; Corresponding author at: European Resuscitation Council, Niel, Belgium. Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Prehospital Emergency, Maggiore Hospital Carlo Alberto Pizzardi, Bologna, Italy.Department of Emergency Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, BelgiumBackground: Cardiac arrest survivors have diverse needs beyond healthcare, including spirituality, social networks, practical, legal, and economic matters, highlighting the need for community-based support. While some non-governmental organisations support various patient groups, little is known about those dedicated to cardiac arrest survivors. The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) conducted a survey to identify and understand these organisations’ structures and activities. Methods: An internet survey developed by the ERC was disseminated through media channels, national resuscitation councils, and social networks. Responses were verified against publicly available information to confirm declared activities and sustained support efforts. Organisations were classified based on whether their primary focus was on cardiac arrest survivors or if support was a secondary activity. Results: Of fifty-six responses, eight organisations were identified as providing structured, continuous support. Six primarily focused on cardiac arrest survivors, while two had a broader scope. Most were established after 2000, with six in Europe and two in the United States. Membership ranged from 520 to 3000 survivors. Common activities included peer support and distributing information materials. Connections with healthcare systems varied, with three reporting none. Only two were represented in their national resuscitation councils (NRCs). Conclusions: Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors are scarce but address important unmet needs. However, public presence is limited, and ties with institutions remain weak. Strengthening collaborations with healthcare providers, NRCs, and stakeholders could enhance support networks and improve long-term post-resuscitation care.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666520425001237Cardiac arrestSurvivorsSurvivorshipFamilySelf-Help GroupsResuscitation
spellingShingle Lorenzo Gamberini
Kirstie L. Haywood
Sebastian Schnaubelt
Mazarine Thyssens
Federico Semeraro
Koenraad G. Monsieurs
Sachin Agarwal
Mari Blek-Vehkaluoto
Erga Cerchiari
Johan Israelsson
Mary Newman
Paul Swindell
Jellis Vaes
Philipp Tinguely
Elena G. Bignami
Bernd W. Böttiger
Nino Fijačko
Carolina Malta Hansen
Andrew Lockey
Bibiana Metelmann
Camilla Metelmann
Theresa M. Olasveengen
Giuseppe Ristagno
Hans van Schuppen
Kaushila Thilakasiri
Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory survey of organisational structures and activities
Resuscitation Plus
Cardiac arrest
Survivors
Survivorship
Family
Self-Help Groups
Resuscitation
title Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory survey of organisational structures and activities
title_full Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory survey of organisational structures and activities
title_fullStr Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory survey of organisational structures and activities
title_full_unstemmed Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory survey of organisational structures and activities
title_short Organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors: An exploratory survey of organisational structures and activities
title_sort organisations supporting cardiac arrest survivors an exploratory survey of organisational structures and activities
topic Cardiac arrest
Survivors
Survivorship
Family
Self-Help Groups
Resuscitation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666520425001237
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