The Effects of Empowerment of the paramedics on Critical Thinking

1급 응급구조사의 임파워먼트가 비판적 사고에 미치는 영향

Purpose : This study aimed to examine the effects of empowerment of the paramedics on critical thinking and provide the basic materials for the qualitative improvement of emergency medical service. Methods : This study collected data with the paramedics working at general hospital and hospital emergency room in G metropolitan city, B metropolitan city, U metropolitan city, D metropolitan city and J province from July 1 to 31, 2008. Total 180 questionnaires were collected and 152 were used for final analysis, and the following results were obtained through statistical analysis using SPSS 12.0 program. Results : 1) Average score of empowerment was 4.44 out of 6 and according to average score by areas, significance was 4.94, capacity 4.92, self-determination 4.28, and effective-ness 3.62. 2) Empowerment by general characteristics was statistically significant in age (F = 3.313, p < 0.05), the final scholastic attainments(F = 2.436, p < 0.05), and salary(F = 1.695, p < 0.01). 3) Average score of critical thinking was 3.12 out of 7 and according to scores by areas, maturity was highest as 3.71, followed by no prejudice as 3.70, systemicity as 3.14, pursuit of truth as 3.05, much curiosity as 2.93, critical thinking and self-confidence as 2.92, and analysis as 2.91. 4) Critical thinking by general characteristics was statistically significant in marital status (F = 15.695, p < 0.01) and the final scholastic attainments (F = 2.606, p < 0.05). 5) Correlations between empowerment and critical thinking showed positive correlations as Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.400 and positive correlation in all areas including empowerment and critical thinking were found (r = 0.116-0.710). 6) The effect of empowerment on critical thinking was statistically significant in p < 0.01 and was explained as $R^2=0.155$. In the effects of empowerment on critical thinking, significance, capacity and self-determination were statistically significant in p < 0.01, effectiveness in p < 0.05 and were explained as R2 = 0.244. Conclusion : From the above results, it was found that empowerment had the influence on critical thinking, so it was considered that hospital managers and emergency room chiefs must develop and operate education and training program based on the concept of empowerment, maintenance and management strategies.