Abstract:

First aid education at school age is considered an important strategy to promote prevention, responsibility, and readiness to act in emergency situations. However, little research has explored the perceived impact of first aid interventions beyond the school context, particularly from the family perspective. The aim of this study was to explore families’ perceptions of the impact of a school-based first aid workshop delivered in Primary Education.

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted with parents or legal guardians of pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th grade of Primary Education who participated in a first aid workshop. The total number of pupils involved in the intervention was 56 (20 in 4th grade, 20 in 5th grade and 16 in 6th grade). Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire distributed via the school’s regular family–school communication platform. A total of 32 parents completed the questionnaire. Open-ended questions were included to gather information about what children shared at home regarding the workshop, the contents they remembered, the emotions associated with the experience, and whether any transfer of learning to the family context was perceived.

Responses were analysed using thematic analysis. The results revealed several recurring themes, including remembered first aid contents (such as contacting emergency services, basic responses to injuries, and simple emergency actions), emotional reactions linked to the workshop (enthusiasm, surprise, and pride), and perceived transfer to the home environment, such as children explaining or demonstrating what they had learned to family members. Families also highlighted the perceived usefulness of the workshop and the development of a sense of responsibility towards helping others.

These findings suggest that first aid workshops in Primary Education may have an observable impact beyond the classroom, as reflected in family narratives. The study highlights the relevance of including first aid education in the primary school curriculum and underscores the role of families in reinforcing educational experiences.

Keywords:

First aid education, Primary Education, family perceptions, health education.