J Agric Med Community Health.  2010 Sep;35(3):301-313.

The Knowledge and Attitude of Prehospital Care among Emergency Medical Technicians Working at 119 Fire Safety Centers for Patients with Acute Drug Intoxication

• Lee HC
• Lee YS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this research is to provide foundational data for reeducation concerning prehospital emergency care in order to improve the performance of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) working at 119 fire safety centers.
METHODS
Data were collected using a mail-in questionnaire developed by researchers from 288 subjects, who were EMTs working at 119 fire safety centers and local units in the Gwangju Metropolitan City and South Jeolla Province, from March 1, 2009 to April 31, 2009.
RESULTS
The mean score for EMTs' knowledge on drug intoxication was 7.04 out of a total of 10 points. The mean score for EMT's attitude of emergency treatment performance on drug intoxication was 2.96 out of a total of 4 points. The level of EMT's knowledge is relatively high regarding prehospital care for drug intoxication. The EMT's attitude of performances demonstrated an understanding of the patients' conditions. However EMTs did not actively explain the prognosis and medical conditions for their patients.
CONCLUSIONS
This research will contribute to making plans for reeducating emergency crew working at 119 fire centers so that can they have a more active attitude towards prehospital emergency medical care.

Keyword

Poisoning; Emergency medical technicians (EMTs); Knowledge; Prehospital emergency care

MeSH Terms

Emergencies
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Technicians
Emergency Treatment
Fires
Humans
Prognosis
Surveys and Questionnaires