Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

"Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) occurs when the heart stops beating unexpectedly and is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. It is estimated that approximately 40,000 Canadian and 350,000 American adults suffer an OHCA each year, with only an 8-12% survival rate. Various time-sensitive therapies, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, can improve survival, but must be performed effectively and as soon as possible. The <em>Chain of Survival</em> highlights early recognition, CPR, defibrillation, expert cardiac life support, and post-resuscitation care as key elements to optimize outcomes for patients who experience cardiac arrest. Despite improvements in OHCA care and outcomes over time, persistent disparities in care processes and access are evident in rural areas, which has led to reduced survival rates in comparison to urban settings. With almost 20% of the North American population living in rural areas, OHCA remains a prominent public health concern within this underserved population. This project aims to examine the incidence, characteristics, processes, and outcomes of OHCA between urban and rural areas in the United States. Associations between OHCA care processes and survival outcomes will be assessed and compared by urban/rural status. The findings of this project will be transferable to the Canadian setting, informing the development of evidence-based health programmes that target important care processes along the Chain of Survival, thus improving OHCA outcomes across unique geographical settings. Ultimately, this will help drive new guidelines, policies, and programs to improve rural OHCA care in both the United States and Canada, strengthening access to life-saving therapies among rural communities. "