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

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.