Earticle

Purpose: We gathered information for the development of a blood pressure measurement education program by analyzing the accuracy of reading taken using a blood pressure simulator by Korean paramedic students. Methods: Data from 131 students were collected in November 12-20, 2013, and April 2-4, 2014. A 27-item questionnaire was administered, the accuracy of measurements confirmed using a blood pressure simulator (BT-CEAB), and the data analyzed (SPSS v 21.0). Results: The accuracy of systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings (≤2mmHg) was relatively low (27.5%). The mean blood pressure knowledge score was 67.61 points; significant differences were noted considering the sex (p = .001), hours of practice (p =.007), numbers of practice (p = .001), and reported self-confidence (p = .026). The blood pressure measurement accuracy group did not show a significant difference in its knowledge of blood pressure (p = .198). Conclusion: Most subjects needed several practice sessions to master the skill of measuring blood pressure. The feedback provided by individual assessment and the practice education program will serve as the basis for clinical and prehospital practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of prehospital care provided to infants and toddlers (preschoolers) based on questionnaire findings. Methods: A total of 1,634 running sheets from 119 centers of D city from patients older than 1 month and less than 7 years of age from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 were reviewed for 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) activity analysis. And a self-reported questionnaire about knowledge and competency in prehospital care of preschoolers was completed by 159 EMTs at fire stations in D city. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Results: Of 1,634 patients, 58.6% were call to 119 due to disease, 33.8% due to injuries and 7.5% due to traffic accident. Knowledge and confidence in treating preschoolers was significantly higher among paramedic EMTs than basic EMTs. The 119 EMTs surveyed indicated that training for preschooler prehospital care was most needed. Conclusion: In order to provide high quality prehospital care for preschoolers transported to emergency rooms, it is necessary to equip ambulances with the proper equipment. In addition, EMTs should be provided educational opportunities and clinical training.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the current status and correlations among scuba divers’ knowledge of safety, compliance with safety rules, and ability to cope with emergency situations. Methods: There were 317 study subjects. Data were collected between September 21, 2012 and September 7, 2013, and analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0. Results: Of the participants, 89.3% wanted to be educated in emergency care, while 69.4% indicated that preparedness in emergency situations for divers is insufficient. 78.5% suggested a need to creat a legal standard for the prevention of accidents. The average scores among the participants showed 3.22 points for knowledge of safety, 3.09 points for compliance with safety rules, and 2.91 points for ability to cope with accidents and emergency situations, with strong correlation among them. The lower license level they had, the lower score they indicated. Conclusion: We suggest there is a need to strengthen systematic educations on knowledge of safety, compliance with safety rules, and the ability to cope with emergency situations and emergency care at the open water level. In addition, there is a need to creat legal standards to consolidate the effects of these changes.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to examine the effects regarding reeducation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on persistence of nursing students’ knowledge, performance, and self -efficacy. Methods: The research design for this study was a repeated experimental design featuring 35 female nursing students. Participants were educated using the standardized cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocol from the American Heart Association. Three months after the initial education, participants received reeducation about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Knowledge and self- efficacy were measured before the initial education. Knowledge, performance, and self-efficacy were measured immediately after the initial education, 3 months later, and 6 months later. Collected data were analyzed using PASW Statistics 18.0. Results: Knowledge and self-efficacy significantly increased immediately after the initial education; knowledge, performance, and self-efficacy significantly decreased 3 months afterwards. No further decrease occurred until 3 months after reeducation. Conclusion: These results suggest that the duration between initial education and reeducation was insufficient, although the effects of cardiopulmonary resuscitation education were maintained 3 months after reeducation.

Purpose: The study was to investigate the feasibility about reorganized the paramedic college into a four-year education system. Methods: Through literature review and analysis, a self-reported questionnaire was created and filled out by the professors of paramedic and analyzed. Results: An analysis of the curriculum indicated that, as paramedic schools involve practice-oriented education, reorganization of the college system is necessary to raise the quality of the actual training. The survey results found that most participants agreed with the need to reorganize the school system. Conclusion: Paramedics have a responsibility regarding the life of the nation. In order to be satisfied with its status as a national job that focuses on humanity and justice, increasing the years needed before graduation is necessary.

Purpose: Job satisfaction, spouse support, parenting stress, and the factors that influence parenting stress in female fire fighters with preschool-aged children were examined. Methods: Data were collected from 180 female fire fighters who worked at the fire station from June to July 2013 and had preschool-aged children. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 21.0. Results: Average job satisfaction was 2.81, spouse support was 3.54, and parenting stress was 3.61. Parenting stress was negatively correlated with spouse support and job satisfaction. Job satisfaction and spouse support were positively correlated. Factors influencing parenting stress included employment period (ß=0.093, p <.05), a husband who is not a fire fighter (ß=-8.971, p <.05), having three children (ß=27.395, p <.05), delegating childcare to relatives (ß=9.605, p <.05), income (ß=- 0.920, p <.05), and spouse support (ß=-0.589, p <.05). Conclusion: To reduce parenting stress and increase job satisfaction, female fire fighters with preschool-aged children should be assigned to stable administrative work instead of stressful on-site work. Husbands who are fire fighters should take advantage of paternity leave, implemented by the Ministry of Public Safety and Security, to increase their active participation in parenting.