• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.17-27
• /
• 2019

Purpose: To provide legislative data for the amendment of Article 36 of the Emergency Medical Service Act on the qualifications of emergency medical technicians. Methods: The study was drafted based on the Emergency Medical Service Act; data on the emergency medical technicians (EMT) system and curriculum in Korea, United States. Japan, and Taiwan; and previous studies on the EMT system in Korea. Results: The length of education. work scope. amd role of level 1 EMTs vary significantly depending on the type of qualifications they have as emergency medical professionals, while the supply of level 1 EMTs has already reached a point of saturation. Accordingly, the current regulation on allowing level 2 EMTs with at least three years of experience to take the level 1 EMT test presents serious inequity for students just graduating from their emergency medical services program. It is also a factor that degrades the professionalism of level 1 EMTs. Conclusion: Article 36, paragraph 2. subparagraph 3 of the Emergency Medical Services Act pertaining to regulations on "EMTs who have worked as level 2 EMTs for at least 3 years" needs to be removed.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.33-49
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the work and job satisfaction of military emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: We selected 122 military EMTs who participated in the refresher education in 2012. This study was conducted from November 12 to December 21, 2012. Results: The most frequent duties of military EMTs were scene assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, surgical treatment, prehospital first-aid, transfer to the hospital, education, and call response. The air force and navy EMTs had better performance than the army EMTs. As for job satisfaction, the work itself ranked highest, whereas payment ranked lowest. Conclusion: The scope of the work of the military EMTs varied in the 14 fields of work but should be considered for further evaluation. In order to increase the job satisfaction of EMTs, their work conditions should be improved such as through salary increase and extra pay for those with professional certificates.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.7-15
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to introduce an oath and ethics code for emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: The proposed oath and ethics code for the EMTs was evaluated using a modified Delphi technique. This oath and ethics code was presented at Korean association of emergency medical technician conference and was revised by experts in emergency medical services. Results: We examined the ethics codes for other allied healthcare professionals regarding the topics of human rights, health promotion, acting as an advocate, ethics, cooperation, observance, human rights, right to know, self-determination, confidentiality, and professionalism. These elements are reflected in our proposed oath and ethics code for EMTs. Conclusion: The proposed oath and ethics code would raise the professional status of EMTs.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.63-78
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine how emergency medical technicians(EMT) are affected by job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms(MSSs) and depression. Methods : Data were collected from EMTs at emergency medical institutions and fire stations (n=257). With a questionnaire, the association of job stress and MSSs and depression were examined in this study. Results : When examining job stress by place of work, the level of stress in field situations was significantly higher in EMTs at fire stations than in EMTs at emergency medical institutions. The MSSs of EMTs at emergency medical institutions were significantly higher compared to EMTs at fire stations, For depression, the score was 14.09 out of 60, and MSSs were significantly more common in women. Additionally, the level of job stress for 20-24 and over 35 year olds was significantly higher than that in the other age groups. Job stress had a positive correlation with MSSs and depression of EMTs, and MSSs were associated with depression. Conclusions : To improve the work environment of EMTs, attention should be paid to job stress, MSS, and depression and the presence of positive organizational support should be provided which can prevent negative effects.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.45-58
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study investigated the health status and health management program of 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 794 EMTs in two cities from November 15 to December 20, 2016. The questionnaire collected the general characteristics of the subjects (10 items) and health-related information from 119 EMTs (14 items). Data were analyzed by using SPSS 23.0. Results: The mean value for the general health status of the 119 EMTs was 2.68. The general health status was lower for female 119 EMTs, older 119 EMTs, and married 119 EMTs; it was higher for 119 EMTs with more than 5 years of experience and for 119 EMTs with diseases. The mean value for work-related fatigue of the 119 EMTs was 3.26. This value was higher for female 119 EMTs (p<.05). 119 EMTs with more than 2 years of experience, and 119 EMTs with diseases (p<.01). The correlation between health program participation and general health status was significantly positive (r=.271), whereas the correlation between health program participation and work-related fatigue was significantly negative (r=-.375). The correlation between health program participation and program satisfaction was significantly positive (r=-.770). Conclusion: It is important to develop health management program for 119 EMTs and to offer them at all times. Moreover, the health status of 119 EMTs can be increased through improvements to working environments.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.19-33
• /
• 2015

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.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a violent experience and job stress on burnout and to investigate the factors that affect burnout in female 119 emergency medical technicians. Methods: Data from 189 female EMTs were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0. The analyses included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, analysis of variance, Scheffe test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. Results: Burnout was positively correlated with a violent experience in female 119 EMTs. Violent experience (β=.39, p<.001) were a significant predictor of burnout in 15.2% of female 119 EMTs. Conclusion: A violent experience is identified as a significant factor affecting burnout in female 119 EMTs. Therefore, it is necessary to impart education to female 119 EMTs on effectively coping with violence.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.129-140
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This descriptive correlational study investigated the effects of post-traumatic stress and compassion competence on the quality of life of 119 Emergency medical technicians(EMTs). Methods: The data of 119 EMTs were collected between May 1 and September 30, 2020. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS 24.0 program. Results: Post-traumatic stress was seen to be negatively correlated with the quality of life (r=-.456, p<.001) and compassion competence was positively correlated with quality of life (r=.250, p=.006). Participants' subjective health status (β=0.30, p<.001), post-traumatic stress (β=-0.39, p=.001) and compassion competence (β=0.29, p<.001) explained 38.5% of variance in the quality of life of the 119 EMTs. Conclusion: These findings indicate that post-traumatic stress and compassion competence are important factors to improve the quality of life of EMTs. Therefore, systematic programs for reducing post-traumatic stress and enhancing compassion competence levels should be developed.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.69-85
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) and their correlation with subjective health condition (SHC) among emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was disseminated to EMTs (N=257) at emergency medical institutions and fire stations. Results: The prevalence of MSSs was very high in the studied EMTs: 88.3% reported having MSSs. The most commonly affected site was the lower back (73.9%) followed by the neck (56.8%) and the shoulder (55.6%). MSSs were more common in women than in men, and its frequency increased with age. MSSs in the neck and shoulder were more increased in EMTs with < 1 year of service. MSSs in the hand / wrist / finger or leg / foot were significantly increased in EMTs of emergency medical institutions than those of fire stations. Job satisfaction was significantly lower in those with MSSs of the lower back. The subjective heath condition was decreased with age, marriage, or smoking. There was significant corelation between MSSs and SHC. Conclusion: This study suggests that MSSs are a reasonably common problem for EMTs, and that solutions need to be imposed such as some actual tasks or items related to work postures, work control, and work organization.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.79-91
• /
• 2018

Purpose: To assess the satisfaction of continuing education and need assessment according to job characteristics in emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was completed by 222 EMTs from May 28 to July 6, 2018. It consisted of questions on the method and need of continuing education, and satisfaction regarding education time, assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics, a chi-square test, and ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results: The responses to questions on the method of continuing education (${\rho}=.000$), satisfaction of regarding the duration of continuing education (${\rho}=.029$), method (${\rho}$< .001), and topic (${\rho}=.000$) varied according to the differences in job characteristics of EMTs. Assessment and management of patients with multiple trauma ($4.17{\pm}.735$) emerged as the most important while license examination protocol for EMTs ($3.33{\pm}.968$) was rated the least important among topics for continuing education. Separation of continuing education (${\rho}$< .001), education method (${\rho}$< .001), education topic (${\rho}$< .001), and necessity of quality management of continuing education (${\rho}$< .001) differed according to the job characteristics of EMTs. Conclusion: It is important to provide a suitable program catering to the diverse requirements of EMTs. The education programs must be tailored to the needs of level 1 and level 2 EMTs separately. To improve the quality of education, it is necessary to evaluate the continuing effects.