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TV Dramas might potentially be Undermining CPR Education, New Research Suggests
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A new study reveals that popular television shows frequently enough depict inaccurate portrayals of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), potentially discouraging viewers from intervening during a real-life cardiac emergency. The findings underscore a critical disconnect between medical best practices and how life-saving procedures are presented to the public.
more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the united Kingdom alone, according to the British heart Foundation (BHF). While bystander CPR significantly increases survival rates, the American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that only 35-45% of individuals in need globally actually receive it.
The shift to Compression-only CPR
Since 2008, the AHA and the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) have advocated for a simplified approach to CPR, emphasizing chest compressions without rescue breaths – known as compression-only CPR. this method is easier to learn and remember, and studies have shown it to be as effective as traditional CPR for lay rescuers.
However, the new research, published in the journal Resuscitation, suggests that television continues to perpetuate outdated and potentially harmful practices. Researchers analyzed 54 episodes from popular series like Dexter, quantum Leap, Homeland, The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, and Manifest.
Misleading Portrayals on the Small Screen
The team discovered that of 54 episodes featuring laypeople administering CPR, only 16 accurately depicted compression-only techniques. A concerning 26 episodes showed both breaths and compressions, while 23 showed characters checking for a pulse before initiating CPR.
“People are watching thousands and thousands and thousands of hours of television every single year, but people go to see their primary care physician once a year,” explained Ore Fawole, lead author of the study. “so a lot of people are gaining moast of their health content from the stuff that they watch on TV, the stuff that they experience on TV.”
This discrepancy is notably troubling given the influence of television on public perception. Dr. Beth Hoffman, another author from Pitt Public Health, noted that during community CPR training sessions, participants frequently ask, “When do I check for a pulse? When do I check for breaths?” “We are not sure if that’s all due to what they see on screen, but the results of this study combined with our observations suggest that people are being influenced by it,” she said.
Real-Life impact and Portrayal Concerns
The study builds on existing research demonstrating the impact of health storylines on television viewers. A compelling example occurred in 2023, when a 12-year-old boy, Austen Macmillan, successfully rescued a man by performing chest compressions after learning the technique from the show Stranger Things.
However, the researchers also identified other inaccuracies in television portrayals. Only 20% of the episodes depicted a cardiac arrest occurring at home, despite this being the location for approximately 80% of real-life events. furthermore, over half of the patients receiving CPR on screen were under the age of 40, while the average age of individuals experiencing cardiac arrest is 62.
Fawole also highlighted a concerning trend in representation: “A lot of the CPR we see being performed and being received [on TV] is by white males.”
The Importance of Accurate Information and Training
Lizzie Moscardini, RevivR program manager at the British Heart Foundation, emphasized the power of television to shape behavior. “Our own advert with vinnie Jones showing how to perform hands-only CPR gave people the confidence and skills to act, and it saved lives,” she said. “This new research highlights the flip side: without following the most up-to-date advice, TV can also create confusion about how to perform CPR properly.”
Moscardini stressed the urgency of acting quickly and correctly during a cardiac arrest,noting that 999 call handlers in the UK can provide guidance on initiating chest compressions. “We urge everyone to take a few minutes to learn CPR,” she said.”Our free online tool, RevivR, can teach you the skills in just 15 minutes.”
Learning CPR is a vital skill that empowers individuals to potentially save a life, and ensuring accurate portrayals in media is crucial to overcoming hesitation and promoting effective intervention.
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