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Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured sepsis education program for 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in South Korea by assessing changes in their knowledge and confidence related to prehospital sepsis screening and initial fluid management. Methods: 119 EMTs affiliated with all fire stations under the Gyeonggi-do Fire Headquarters participated in a training program that included sepsis identification using the qSOFA criteria and rapid intravenous fluid administration using pressure bags. The training was conducted 18 times across nine designated training centers. Pre- and post-training assessments measured participants’ knowledge and self-reported confidence. For subgroup analysis, participants were categorized into Advanced Emergency Medical Providers (AEMPs) and other EMPs based on their certifications. Results: Of the 1,111 119 EMTs who attended the sessions, 888 completed both training and assessments and were included in the analysis. The average correct response rate increased from 75.2% to 90.2% after the training. All question categories —general knowledge, treatment procedures, and case interpretation—showed improved scores. AEMPs had higher scores than other EMPs, pre- and post-training, but the gap between the groups decreased post-training. Confidence in recognizing and explaining sepsis was significantly improved across all self-assessed competency levels. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a brief, targeted educational intervention can effectively improve EMTs’ knowledge and confidence in sepsis recognition and initial management at the prehospital stage. These findings support the need for continuous and standardized sepsis education programs for EMTs to enhance early identification and timely intervention for sepsis in prehospital settings.

Purpose: To identify research trends and assess the academic influence of frequently used keywords through examining the correlation between author keyword frequency and total citation frequency in research articles published in the Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services from 2012 to 2023. Methods: Author keywords were extracted from selected articles, and their corresponding total citation frequencies were analyzed. Pearson’s correlation and simple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between keyword frequency and citation count. Additionally, keywords were classified into four groups based on the total citation frequency of the papers in which they appeared and their distribution was analyzed. Results: Revealed a significant correlation between author keywords frequency and total citation frequency. Frequently used keywords generally have higher citation counts, indicating their academic influence. However, in emergency medical services research, repeated keyword usage does not always lead to high citation rates, and the overall citation frequency of journals is relatively low. Conclusion: This study provides insights into the relationship between author keyword frequency and the academic impact of emergency medical service research. The results suggest that frequently used keywords may enhance research visibility; however, citation rates vary depending on the research focus. Future studies should consider systematic keyword selection to improve academic influence.

Purpose: To analyze trends in simulation-based education research on paramedicine in Korea over the past decade (2015–2024) and to suggest directions for future improvements in education and research. Methods: We conducted a scoping review based on the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. Relevant studies were retrieved from the RISS, KISS, KCI, and ScienceON databases by using predefined search terms. Thirteen peer-reviewed Korean journal articles were selected based on these inclusion criteria. The data were extracted and independently coded by three researchers. Results: Most studies focused on paramedicine students and employed pre- or quasi-experimental designs. The primary simulation topics were cardiac and trauma resuscitation. Educational outcomes were assessed using variables such as confidence, knowledge, performance, satisfaction, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking. Confidence was the most frequently measured outcome variable. Most studies included debriefing sessions, and a few utilized Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice (RCDP) to enhance training effectiveness. Conclusion: Simulation-based paramedicine education has shown positive impacts on learners’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioral competencies. However, future research should expand to include in-service professionals, such as paramedics and firefighters, incorporate more qualitative methodologies, diversify simulation topics, and focus on evaluating real-life clinical performance. This review provides foundational insights into the current trends and future directions for enhancing the quality of simulation-based education in Korean paramedicine programs.

Purpose: To examine the correlation between disaster awareness, willingness to participate in disaster response, disaster preparedness, and disaster response competency with the general characteristics of paramedic students to determine the factors that affect disaster response. Methods: We analyzed the collected data using descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi-square test, ANOVA, Scheffe's post-hoc analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression. Results: Disaster response competency had a significant positive correlation with disaster awareness, willingness to participate in disaster response, and disaster preparedness. The factors that most influenced disaster response competency were disaster preparedness, major satisfaction, and disaster awareness, with an explanatory power of 41%. Conclusion: To enhance the disaster response competency of paramedic students, it is crucial to establish effective disaster education programs, such as developing disaster-specific scenarios and the corresponding practical training, to cultivate the ability to respond appropriately to various situations.

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of a virtual reality-based patient safety education program in enhancing paramedic students' knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in patient safety performance. Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a group design to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual reality-based patient safety education program for paramedic students. This study included 45 sophomores and junior paramedics. Patient safety knowledge, attitudes, and performance confidence were measured using pre- and post-test questionnaires. Differences between the pre- and post-test results were analyzed using a paired t-test in SPSS 25.0. Results: After completing the virtual reality-based patient safety education program, the participants demonstrated significantly higher knowledge (t = 4.912, p < .001), attitude (t = 3.647, p = .001), and performance confidence (t = 8.680, p < .001). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the program positively affected patient safety competency of paramedic students. Continued efforts should be made to enhance patient safety competencies among paramedic students through implementation of this program.

Purpose: To provide basic data on the direction in which the paramedic examination system should proceed by analyzing the trends of paramedic examination results from 2016, when the paramedic written examination was adjusted, to 2023. Methods: National paramedic examination data from 2016 to 2023 were used, and scores and applicant statuses were provided using the public data portal. In addition, statistical methods such as frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, and Pearson’s correlation were used for data analysis, and the Jamovi 2.3.28 statistical program was used. Results: The passing rate of paramedic examinations showed a relatively even trend; however, there were large fluctuations, such as a 10% decrease in 2021. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the passing rate does not significantly fluctuate and is maintained at a certain level. It is estimated that basic medical subjects have a large impact on the passing rate; therefore, it is necessary to adjust the difficulty of basic medical questions to a certain extent. Conclusion: To develop the national paramedic examination, guidelines should be prepared for flexible adjustment of the difficulty and discrimination of the examination by considering the annual national examination pass and failure rates as well as job-based question writing and examination formats that reflect changes in the emergency medical field and social demands.

Purpose: To analyze the factors affecting mortality and disability in workplace trauma patients and provide a basis for improving on-site emergency response and emergency medical systems to reduce industrial accident-related mortality and disability. Methods: This study analyzed out-of-hospital severe trauma patients classified by 119 paramedics (2016 –2021) using the KDCA survey data. Occupational characteristics were compared through frequency and descriptive analyses, and factors affecting severe trauma-related mortality and disability were analyzed using a Mixed Logit Model. Results: The average severity score (ISS) of industrial accident patients was three points higher than that of non-industrial accident patients. In addition, the incidence of disability in industrial accident patients was 1.4 times higher than that, and the mortality rate increased by 61.0%. When comparing the mortality rates by medical facility, patients transported to community and regional emergency medical centers had significantly higher mortality rates than those transported to regional trauma centers. Conclusion: Due to the high severity of trauma caused by industrial accidents, an early response is crucial. Therefore, occupational safety and health managers must possess emergency treatment competencies as first responders.

Purpose: To identify the factors associated with the severity of injuries in motorcycle accident patients who visited emergency medical centers at 23 hospitals nationwide, using data collected by the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance. Methods: This study included 14,958 motorcycle accident patients selected through a research inclusion process, who visited participating hospitals from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 25.0, employing descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression analysis. Results: Factors influencing injury severity included age 65 or older (OR=1.447, p=.015), accidents occurring in the morning(06:00-11:59) (OR=1.341, p=.019), early morning hours(00:00-05:59) (OR=1.586, p<.001), not using an ambulance(OR=6.921, p<.001), patients with the severest injuries to the head and face(OR=8.921, p<.001), neck injuries(OR=3.452, p=.001), abdominal and pelvic injuries(OR=5.672, p<.001), lower extremity injuries(OR=1.942, p=.016), public road(OR=2.945, p=.001), type of way in other areas(OR=2.542, p=.018), not wearing a helmet(OR=2.890, p<.001), unknown helmet using(OR=6.105, p<.001), and hypothermia(≤35.0℃) (OR=47.168, p<.001). Conclusion: To prevent severe injuries in motorcycle accident patients, it is essential to wear proper protective equipment, promptly assess the patient’s condition, and transport them to an appropriate hospital. Paramedics should be equipped to evaluate the patient's age, use of protective equipment, injury site, and mechanism of the accident comprehensively and decide on treatment and transportation according to the severity of the injuries.

Purpose: To provide information on the current state of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by Korean paramedics in elevators and to identify effective chest compression methods when using a reduced stretcher in the confined space of an elevator. Methods: This study is designed to investigate the status of CPR in elevators, we compared the quality of manual chest compression and LUCAS3 mechanical chest compression device according to the angle change of the stretcher (0 degrees, 60 degrees, 85 degrees) using a mannequin in a model elevator. SPSS 22.0 was used to analyze the research data, the survey was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the quality of chest compressions according to the stretcher angle was analyzed using t-test and ANOVA. Results: Mechanical chest compressions at 60° and 85° stretcher angles showed a more effective compression depth of 5-6cm than manual chest compressions, consistent with the CPR guidelines (p<.001). Additionally, mechanical chest compressions had a higher compression location accuracy than manual chest compressions (p<.05). There was no significant difference in the chest compression recoil rate between mechanical and manual chest compressions in the 60° and 85° stretcher positions. Conclusion: In confined elevator spaces, when the main stretcher was reduced and modified to angles of 60° and 85°, the mechanical chest compression device (LUCAS3) demonstrated superior consistency and efficiency in CPR quality compared to manual chest compression methods. This study highlights the need for standardized protocols and training.

Purpose: To provide basic data for developing a program to promote mental fitness by analyzing the effects of college life and clinical practice stress on the mental fitness of paramedic students. Methods: Data were collected from May 25 to August 28, 2024. The questionnaire consisted of 155 questions, and the number of participants was 234. Data analyses were performed using SPSS 28.0. Results: The effects of participants’ college life stress on their mental fitness were influenced by health status (t = 3.088, p = .002), college life stress (t = -2.263, p = .025), social support (t = 7.529, p = .000), and resilience (t = 10.139, p = .000), explaining 64.3% of mental fitness. Social support and resilience had a partial mediating effect. The effects of clinical practice stress on their mental fitness were influenced by health status (t = 3.891, p = .000), clinical practice stress (t = -3.173, p = .002), social support (t = 7.821, p = .000), and resilience (t = 10.135, p = .000), explaining 64.6% of mental fitness. Social support also had a partial mediating effect. Conclusion: The participants’ social support and resilience were found to have a partial mediating effect on enhancing mental fitness. Therefore, it is necessary to establish support systems such as mentoring programs and provide educational programs that can improve stress management and resilience.

Purpose: To analyze the characteristics of pediatric trauma patients transferred from other facilities, with the goal of utilizing these findings as foundational data to improve the emergency medical system for these patients. Methods: This study targeted pediatric trauma patients aged < 15 years who visited emergency medical centers in Seoul over the course of one year in 2021, totaling 48,189 individuals. Data were obtained from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS). This study analyzed the characteristics of patients transferred to regional and local emergency medical centers. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26, with the significance level set at a χ value of 0.001. Results: Among the pediatric trauma patients, 6.5% (3,129) were transferred from other hospitals, while mild cases accounted for 85.9% (41,397). However, we noticed a tendency for more severe cases to be transferred. Among the transferred patients, 35.9% (1,123) were diagnosed with fractures, and 33.0% (1,033) had skin injuries. Notably, the proportion of patients with KTAS levels 4-5 was 71.3% (2,232). Conclusion: When designating Moonlight Children's hospital, it is essential to support hospitals capable of treating nonemergency trauma. Additionally, caregivers need education in selecting appropriate initial medical facilities through inquiries to 119 emergency dispatch centers.

Purpose: To identify the correlation between clinical practice stress, major satisfaction, and academic burnout among paramedic students to provide basic data for reducing clinical practice stress and suggesting ways to improve major satisfaction. Methods: Data were collected from paramedic students experienced in clinical practice after obtaining their consent online and offline. The data collection period was from May 1 to June 30, 2024, and 150 questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS 28.0. Results: The participants’ clinical practice stress was 2.47 out of 5 points, their major satisfaction was 3.45 points, and their academic burnout was 2.77 points. The higher the clinical practice stress, the significantly lower the major satisfaction (r=.432, p<.001) and the significantly higher academic burnout (r=.508, p<.001), and the higher the major satisfaction, the significantly lower the academic burnout (r=.520, p<.001). Conclusion: Considering the characteristics that show significant differences among subjects, it is necessary to provide prior education and management for clinical practice, and develop and apply various educational programs and career exploration opportunities to prepare for a career that suits your aptitude.

Purpose: To determine the impact of regional 119 emergency resources on the compliance with 119 ambulance response times. Methods: We used 432,777 emergency activity reports from 2022, and local data from 85 areas via the National Statistics Portal. The 119 ambulance response times were categorized as RTt, RT1, RT2, and RT3 and classified as meeting or not meeting the national median based on the 2023 emergency service quality control report. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and multilevel logistic regression(only RT1-4 and RT1-9) were conducted to identify the factors influencing response time compliance. All statistical analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4. Results: The median time was 34 min for RTt(range:2-712 min) and 9 min for RT1(range:1-688 min). RT2-2 had the highest fulfillment rate(79.8%), and RT1-4 had the lowest(1.7%). Multilevel analysis showed higher fulfillment rates among younger patients, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases, shorter scene distances, regions with greater population density, older persons populations, lower single-person household ratios, and more ambulances per 100,000 people. Conclusion: Optimizing 119 ambulance response times requires enhanced paramedic resource allocation, considering both individual-level factors (patient characteristics) and community-level determinants (population density and demographics), necessitating adjusted paramedic-to-population ratios.