Asian Nursing Research (Oct 2019)

Factors Affecting the Disaster Response Competency of Emergency Medical Technicians in South Korea

  • Dongchoon Uhm,
  • Gyehyun Jung,
  • Yujin Yun,
  • Yongjae Lee,
  • Changuk Lim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2019.09.005
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 4
pp. 264 – 269

Abstract

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Purpose: This study explored the factors influencing disaster response competency, that is, demographic and disaster-related characteristics, personal disaster (household and workplace) preparedness, disaster risk perception, and self-efficacy in handling disasters among emergency medical technicians in South Korea. Methods: The study follows a descriptive, cross-sectional design and uses a self-reported questionnaire. Emergency medical technicians, amounting to 1,020 in all, currently working in firefighting organizations from four South Korean cities (Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Ulsan) participated in the study. Results: Disaster risk perception, self-efficacy for disaster, participation experience in disaster education/training, and personal disaster (household and workplace) preparedness predicted the disaster response competency of emergency medical technicians in South Korea. Conclusion: There is a need for an antidisaster program to enhance the disaster risk perception, self-efficacy, personal disaster (household and workplace) preparedness, and the disaster education/training participation rate toward enhancing disaster response competency of emergency medical technicians in South Korea. Keywords: disasters, emergency medical technicians, risk, self efficacy