title: Do special constables in London feel that they are adequately prepared to meet their first aid responsibilities? A qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study's aims were to explore the views of special constables in the London metropolitan police force concerning their obligations and skills as first aiders.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The metropolitan police force provides police officers to act as first responders to emergency calls made by the public. Special constables act with the same powers and responsibility as police officers and are required to deal with incidents involving medical emergencies.
  
  
  METHODS
  West London Police Station.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen special constables entered and completed the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study involving semistructured interviews, participant observation, and reflective work. The outcome measures were the themes derived from the 'thematic framework approach' to analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four main themes were identified. (1) 'Our responsibility?'--Special constables felt they had a responsibility, but were unsure of the origin of this responsibility, with many feeling it stemmed from public expectation. (2) 'Confidence'--Special constables had mixed feelings regarding their confidence in first aid scenarios and many felt that more could be done to improve their confidence. (3) 'Training needs'--Many felt the current training system was lacking in several ways including regularity, teaching and content. (4) 'Personal first aid knowledge'--Special constables were disappointed with their past performances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Owing to the small size of this study, the conclusions are limited; however, if the findings are confirmed by larger studies, they suggest the need to improve the confidence of special constables in first aid situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: Joht Singh
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9561-5141
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chandan
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meakin
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D060731:Emergency Responders / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005392:First Aid / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D009014:Morals; D016495:Police / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D011639:Public Opinion; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012941:Social Responsibility
keywords: First Aid; First Responders; Police; Prehospital Medicine; Training
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