To provide quality first aid for the Movement
Research
First aid
Behind all of our first aid programmes there is clinical science. The First Aid Reference Centre is involved in many research projects around first aid through the Guidelines and follow evidence-based methodology with the support of the Centre for Evidence-Based Practice (Belgian Red Cross, Flanders).
We are also participating actively in the reviewing process of the following scientific and academic organizations:
Education
There is currently very little evidence in first aid education regarding outcomes measurement or confidence to act. Supported by the British Red Cross, our research is focusing on a key education question “What is effective training?”. In order to answer this question, measurement tools are used to evaluate the effectiveness of training. The findings can then be used to develop recommendations to improve the quality of the training so that the learner feels confident enough to provide first aid.
Publications
GFARC is a board member and a supporter of the International Journal of First Aid Education, which disseminates scholarly and field based works to advance the knowledge and practices of first aid educators and curriculum designers. Works published may also assist funders, organizations, and governments to identify networks and best practices to inform policy, laws, and measurements surrounding first aid for the preparedness of individuals, communities, and populations.
Become an evidence reviewer
Join the team of clinical, education and scientific experts from around the world to consider scientific evidence and produce recommendations.
Get involved in research
Help fill the gaps in our evidence-base by publishing research studies. See our list of evidence gaps and useful links to support.
National Societies and Research: bridging the gap
Research can be accessible to everyone. Red Cross Red Crescent entities are encouraged to be engaged in and contribute to research work by focusing on data management, collaboration with universities and evaluation of outcomes. GFARC is aware of the amount of time that this can represent, and designed an easy-to-use toolkit to help.
The toolkit gives an overview of approaches national or regional first aid education teams can use to measure learning outcomes, and how the data can be used to improve the effectiveness of first aid education activity. The document focuses on the learning outcomes of lay-public learners such as children and adults in families, communities or workplaces. Many of the evaluation principles, tools and approaches are also adaptable to staff, volunteers or medical professionals who learn first aid.
The toolkit includes sections on the background, examples of measurement tools, analysis, and case studies which can each be read independently.
A research project led by GFARC (selected researcher Celeste Fournier, PhD) aimed to propose an outcome measurement tool, in collaboration with La Fondation Croix-Rouge (French Red Cross Foundation) an Andorran Red Cross. Read here the conclusion.
Finally, GFRAC is member of the RC3 Research Consortium whose main aim is to bring together research centres and talents from all continents in the Movement. We agreed to create this alliance between Reference Centres from a simple observation: the humanitarian sector never had the capacity to invest in research up to its programs and its responsibilities. However, many initiatives are developing in the Movement on specific themes, with a wide spectrum of methodologies and with cutting-edge expertise. The Consortium aims to bring together research centres and talents from all continents, with a view to making ambitions and results converge and better supporting the necessary changes in the humanitarian issues sectors (including health and education) and National Societies.
Research mapping in the RC/RC Movement is coordinated by the Global Disaster Preparedness Centre, you can see all the GFARC Research gathered here.