Coverage of Occupational Risks in Prehospital Emergency Care Education

Objectives This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of occupational risk factors among senior students of the Department of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) in medical vocational high schools (MVHS) and of the Paramedic Program in health care services vocational schools. The students are expected to start careers in 112 emergency health care ambulances after graduation. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of six MVHSs (n=138) and two universities (n=34) in the vicinity of Izmir, which have EMT departments and paramedic departments, respectively. The data were collected using two structured forms filled out by participants during an hour of class. Occupational risk factors were divided into four groups: physical/ergonomic, biological, environmental, and psychological. Results Of the student population, 88.9% (n=153) was reached. The majority of the participants were women (85.6%, n=131). Of the participants, 91.5% (n=140) indicated that they were satisfied with their professions; 72.6% did not exercise sufficiently; and 85.6% were not smokers. The mean score for level of knowledge among paramedic and EMT students combined was 5.75 +/- 0.79. When the two groups were compared, both the mean total score and the mean knowledge score were significantly higher among the students studying in the paramedics programs (p<0.05). Conclusions The mean scores for level of knowledge of occupational risk factors were low for both groups. This suggests that a very important element of work life is underemphasized over the course of professional education.