Earticle

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and assess the response capabilities and educational needs of 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in chemical accidents. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 167 119 EMTs between December 1st and December 31, 2023. The questionnaire comprised 8 questions on general characteristics, 2 on chemical accidents experienced by the participants, 29 on response capabilities, and 15 on educational needs. Data analysis was performed using t-tests, analysis of variance, Duncan’s test for post-hoc analysis, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, using SPSS 27.0. Results: The participants scored 2.69 points on response capacity to chemical accidents. The EMT-Paramedics scored high in 'patient triage,’ ‘patient treatment,’ ‘patient transport,’ and 'collaborative support' (F=3.924, p=.010; F=5.843, p=.001; F=3.698, p=.013; F=5.272, p=.002), followed by educational experience (t=-4.962, p<.001; t=-2.685, p=.008; t=-3.455, p=.001; t=-3.593, p<.001; t=-3.034, p=.003). The participants scored 4.19 points on educational needs, with high scores for 'patients treatment and transport’ (4.280.93). The scores for 'patient triage competency', and 'patient triage' (r=.169, p=.024) correlated positively. Furthermore, the scores for 'patient treatment competency' and all sub-factors of educational needs (r=.185, p=.013; r=.215, p=.004; r=.199, p=.008; r=.190, p=.011; r=.197, p=.008) correlated positively. Conclusion: To strengthen the response capabilities of 119 EMTs, it is imperative to develop an educational program that focuses on first-aid responses.

Purpose: This study aimed to observe change in factors over time in the first cohort of the 2018 Children and Adolescent Panel Middle School. In addition, this study attempted to examine the causal relationship and influence between variables by setting a time gap between independent and dependent variables. Methods: Frequency and descriptive statistical analyses were conducted to determine the general characteristics of the study participants. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of smartphone dependence on health, sleep quality, and depression. After inputting the control variables (Model 2), the influence of the variables was identified based on the input model. Results: Smartphone dependence positively impacted depression in both male and female students and negatively impacted sleep and health. Conclusion: Smartphones are closely associated with teenagers’ lives. Additionally, as adolescents experience various psychological anxieties owing to rapid physical changes, there are concerns that psychological dependence may increase, considering that adolescence is the most emotionally unstable period. Therefore, the results of this study consistently prove that smartphone dependence has a causal relationship with emotion-related variables, such as emotional stress, depression, and anxiety.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the oxygen saturation measured at fingertips with unpolished and self-artificial nails (sticker, tip) using a portable pulse oximeter. Methods: The sample comprised 27 women who had used nail care services. Using a pulse oximeter, oxygen saturation was measured at fingertips with unpolished nails in a stable state. Self-fabricated sticker and tip nails were attached to the right and left hands, respectively, using five nail colors (black, blue, green, purple, and brown). Oxygen saturation was measured at fingertips with self-fabricated nails first in the usual manner and then measured again by rotating the oximeter by 90°. Values of oxygen saturation were compared and analyzed using the Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction using IBM SPSS 26.0. Results: Oxygen saturation values were significantly different among colors for both sticker nails (p=.036) and tip nails (p=.000), with black self-artificial nails tending to demonstrate lower oxygen saturation. Moreover, oxygen saturation values obtained by measuring the usual way on unpolished nails was significantly different than those obtained by rotating the oximeter by 90° on thumb with sticker (p=.001) and tip nails (p=.001). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that oxygen saturation should be measured on other fingers except for thumb instead of removing the self-artificial nails in emergency situations. For patients with black self-artificial nails, is the findings recommend measuring oxygen saturation at other body parts such as toes, earlobes, forehead, etc.

Purpose: This study aimed to provide basic data for infection control education plans based on infection control awareness and performance of paramedic students during clinical field training. Methods: Data were collected from paramedic students with experience in clinical field training. The data collection period was from May 4, 2023, to June 4, 2023, and 132 copies of the collected survey were analyzed using the SPSS27.0 program. Results: Infection control awareness and performance were 4.80±0.24 points and 4.49±0.55 points out of 5, respectively. The infection control awareness of the participants according to clinical field training- related characteristics differed significantly in university education before clinical field training (t=2.100, p=.038). In addition, there were significant differences in performance in the number of clinical field training sessions (F=9.149, p=.000), hospital education before clinical field training (t=5.365, p=.000), and hospital education during clinical field training (t=3.094, p=.002). Conclusion: Before clinical field training, schools should provide infection control education that com-bines theory and practice suitable for hospital practice so that students can complete the infection control education organized by the hospital. Furthermore, if a university develops infection control in the clinical field training guidelines, it will have a positive impact on students' infection control performance through prior education.

Purpose: To analyze trends related to demography and EMS and to provide supporting data for the appropriate deployment of EMS providers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on patients transported by 119 EMS, demographics, and EMS factors were collected using the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and the National Fire Agency annual report from 2017 to 2021. Results: During the study period, the total number of patients and those with severe disorders transported via 119 EMS showed an increasing trend. The total fertility rate and population during the same period tended to decrease, and the population density and number of households increased; however, there was a disparity between regions. The main demographic factors affecting the number of patients transported were population density and total fertility rate, while the main EMS factors were the number of ambulances and provision of emergency medical information services(hospital guidance, pharmacy information, and first aid guidance). Conclusion: From the perspective of EMS providers’ force deployment, it is necessary to consider population density, population, number of households, total fertility rate, and number of emergency medical institutions and to strengthen the role of diverting the use of 119 EMS by minor patients by providing emergency medical information.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the counseling status of overseas Koreans using emergency medical counseling services, identify frequently occurring types of diseases, explore approaches to emergency treatment guidance, and protect overseas Koreans from medical blind spots, thereby enhancing the quality of emergency medical counseling services. Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Kongju National University (KNU_IRB_2023-31), and data were collected and analyzed from 10,951 cases of emergency medical counseling services utilized by overseas Koreans from the National Fire Agency from 2018 to 2022. Results: Emergency medical consultation services for overseas Koreans included a majority of non-trauma patients, with medical consultations being predominant. Terrestrial patients commonly seek advice for internal medical symptoms, whereas maritime patients frequently present with trauma-related symptoms, with a higher incidence of cardiac arrest and altered consciousness cases at sea. The development of self-diagnostic tests based on internal medicine symptoms is necessary for terrestrial patients, whereas stakeholder education is required for maritime patients. Conclusion: Due to the different types of diseases occurring in terrestrial and maritime patients, emergency medical consultation services for overseas Koreans should be implemented according to the spe-cific characteristics of each patient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and disseminate response manuals that are tailored to medical and trauma-related symptoms.

Purpose: This study compared the relative importance of educational content, teaching methods, and evaluation methods in the patient assessment curricula of 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: First, we identified the educational content, training hours, and teaching and evaluation methods of the existing patient assessment curriculum based on the National Competency Standard learning module. Second, we surveyed 30 EMTs affiliated with 119 services using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Subsequently, we compared the differences between the current curriculum and the AHP analysis results. Results: Currently in operation, the "Advanced EMT Course" comprises three learning modules: assessment of patient status, scene size-up and triage, and assessment using monitoring devices. Among these, content related to the assessment of patient status received the most allocated time and was deemed the most important according to the AHP survey results. Conversely, while less time was allocated to scene size and triage compared with assessment using monitoring devices, the former was assessed as more important than the latter in the AHP results. Furthermore, scenario-based team training and procedure-focused individual practice were evaluated as relatively important teaching methods, while practical examination using a checklist was deemed the most appropriate evaluation method for all learning content. Conclusion: To improve the patient assessment curriculum, we propose adjusting teaching hours and introducing new teaching and evaluation methods based on the results of relative importance. The proposed improvement plan will contribute to enhancing the competency of 119 EMTs.

Purpose: Education for children in South Korea is similar to that for adults, necessitating additional enhancements. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of fairy-tale books in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education among kindergarten children. Methods: The study involved 64 kindergarten children enrolled in an affiliated kindergarten program were included. The participants were divided into an experimental group of 32 who received CPR education using picture books, and a control group of 32 who received education through traditional methods. Participant characteristics such as sex, age, height, weight, cardiac arrest awareness, and ability to request assistance were measured, and the collected data were statistically analyzed. Results: Following education, the experimental group showed significantly higher scores than the control group across all measures, including cardiac arrest recognition (2.25 vs. 0.34, p<.001) and consciousness assessment (1.81 vs. 0.09, p<.001). Additionally, in requesting assistance, the experimental group exhibited statistical superiority in phone usage (1.75 vs. 0.28, p<.001), situational explanation post-call (2.25 vs. 0.34, p<.001), and self-location explanation (0.84 vs. 0.00, p=.001). Conclusion: The use of fairy-tale books in CPR education enhanced cardiac arrest recognition and the ability to request assistance (EMS Activation) more effectively than the traditional educational methods among kindergarten children.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the jobs of paramedics who are diversifying by deriving duties in accordance with occupational group-related laws, although they are not directly specified in the job description of paramedics or the Emergency Medical Act. Methods: This study selected four paramedics who randomly extracted participants that submitted consent to participate between March 2023 and October 2023. Their occupational groups were the Korea coast guard and air rescue, health centers, and industries; they met on September 19, 2023, and directly transcribed the recorded contents through a three-and-a-half-hour focus group interview for analysis. Results: In the results, although the job description was not directly specified in the job description or emergency medical law, five areas of work applied to practice were derived: "rescue,” "administration,” "education,” "industry,” and "tactical.” Conclusion: To expand jobs according to the diversification of the occupational field of paramedics, job analysis of paramedics belonging to various occupations is required.