# Motivations, challenges, and benefits of first aid knowledge popularization volunteerism among undergraduate medical students: a qualitative study

## TL;DR

This study explores why medical students volunteer to teach first aid, the challenges they face, and the benefits they gain, based on interviews with volunteers in China.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel qualitative exploration of first aid volunteerism among medical students using Expectancy-Value Theory.

## Key findings

- Motivations include internal drive and external incentives like peer influence and rewards.
- Challenges involve skill gaps, time constraints, and psychological stress.
- Benefits include enhanced skills, psychological growth, and recognition.

## Abstract

First aid knowledge popularization volunteerism provides medical students with opportunities to develop practical skills. However, there is currently limited attention to First aid knowledge popularization volunteerism, especially regarding the experiences of volunteers themselves. Therefore, our study explored the motivation, challenges, and benefits of undergraduate medical students participating in first aid knowledge popularization volunteerism based on the expectancy-value theory.

This qualitative descriptive study, guided by Expectancy-Value Theory, explored the motivations, challenges, and benefits of undergraduate medical students participating in first aid knowledge popularization volunteerism. We conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with first aid knowledge popularization volunteerism team members recruited from a medical university in Sichuan Province, China. Theoretical saturation was achieved through iterative data collection and analysis, with the final sample size determined when no new themes emerged from additional interviews. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach.

Our study identified three main themes with eleven subthemes. Motivations included voluntary spirit, self-achievement, reward mechanism, and peer influence. Challenges comprised skill deficiencies, psychological challenges, objective constraints, and time constraints. Benefits encompassed psychological benefits, incentives, and skill enhancement.

Our study research results indicate that the motivation of undergraduate students in first aid knowledge popularization volunteerism stems from the dual effects of internal drive and external motivation. The challenges they face mainly come from the influence of internal obstacles and external limitations, while the ultimate benefits are reflected in both psychological growth and ability improvement. Universities should develop specialized first aid education curricula integrating emergency simulation scenarios and establish FAKPV-specific peer mentorship programs to enhance motivation, provide specialized training combining first aid techniques with community-specific public education pedagogy to address challenges, and create systematic opportunities for volunteers to witness direct impact through follow-up assessments and real-time feedback to maximize benefits.