The Knowledge and Attitude of Prehospital Care among Emergency Medical Technicians Working at 119 Fire Safety Centers for Patients with Acute Drug Intoxication / 農村醫學 地域保健

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.