An Exploratory Study on the Condition and Confidence in Pediatric Resuscitation for Emergency Medical Technicians

This study is to explore the condition and confidence in pediatric resuscitation for emergency medical technicians. A cross-sectional, descriptive and correlation design was conducted. Eighty emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were selected from Taipei Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Division by a purposively sampling. Data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 for windows.he study results showed that most of EMTs were male (96.3%), aged 31 to 35 years old (41.3%), graduated from the Police College School (93.7%). The average of emergency medical care experience was between 6 to10 years (53.7%). More than 80% EMTs did not take Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Advanced Pediatric Life Support (APLS) training. Most EMTs didn’t have the experience of pediatric out-hospital cardiac arrest. Most cases of pediatrics on EMS call were age between 1 to 3 years old. EMTs had psychological pressure on caring the patient under 1 year old. The average pediatric case numbers in each EMT were 2 cases per half year. Most of EMTs responded the lack of adequate content and sufficient times in pediatric continuing education and clinical training. The most confidence level of pediatric emergency care reported by EMTs is emergent management, critical judgment and general assessment in order. Analysis of study items, EMTs showed most confidence in the management of pediatric trauma but weakness in the skill of implanted peripheral intravenous catheter. EMT-2 had more confidence on the skills of intravenous catheter implantation but EMT-P had more confidence on the skill of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Continue post-graduate training, content and duration of training program and satisfaction of faculty affect confidence in pediatric resuscitation significantly.The findings of the study suggested strengthening the post-graduate pediatric training program and content of clinical training for EMTs. The study hopes to enhance confidence and competence of EMT in pediatric EMS care, and improve the quality of pediatric emergency care and the life of pediatric patients.