TableĀ 2

Overview of the overarching theme, categories, subcategories and codes

ThemeEmotional and social challenges and the struggle to cope in life after providing CPR
CategoryConcernUncertaintyCoping strategies
SubcategoryBodily and emotional influenceSelf-criticism or proudnessChanged family and social behaviourIn search of information about patient outcomeExperiencing unavailable information about patient outcomeReceiving information about patient outcomeProcessing the OHCA incidentWishing follow-up by healthcare professionals
Codes
  • Having nightmares and poor sleeping

  • Experiencing unwanted weight loss

  • Feeling unfocused and distracted

  • Recurring the cardiac arrest incident in the mind

  • Being anxious

  • Feeling alone and deserted

  • Self-blaming for having not provided sufficient CPR

  • Worrying about having inflicted injury

  • Feeling proud and happy for having provided CPR

  • Wanting to be left alone

  • Avoiding unwanted attention

  • Frightening unexpected harm will happen to family members

  • Struggling to acquire patient information

  • Wanting to see and talk to the patient

  • Being kept in ignorance because of the patient confidentiality legislation

  • Finding it stressful not knowing patient outcome

  • Experiencing great relief when positive outcome

  • Experiencing sadness when cardiac arrest victim died or survived in an unfortunate state

  • Talking to everyone who wanted to listen

  • Communicate with health-educated individuals in their social network

  • Consulting healthcare services

  • Performing everyday activities

  • Needing a professional, but optional approach from healthcare professionals to talk about the OHCA incident

  • Missing reassurance of OK CPR performance

  • Wanting acknowledgement of the CPR attempt by health professionals

  • Wanting facts about the OHCA incident

  • CPR, cardiopulmonary resuscitation; OHCA, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.