IMPACT OF FALSE FIRST AID INFORMATION AND MYTHS ON PARAMEDIC EDUCATION

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of false information and myths related to first aid on paramedic education that have been formed in society. Method: A two-level qualitative approach was employed. Focus group interviews with paramedic students were conducted at the beginning of their paramedic training and subsequently, at the end of the second semester, when they had completed their basic paramedic training. An independent qualitative researcher conducted thematic analysis in two stages. Furthermore, to complete the analysis and triangulation of data, paramedic educators involved in the research team reviewed and interpreted the presented themes independently. Findings: Ten themes emerged from the first focus group interviews, including misinformation about first aid and practices that may be considered myths. The participants also revealed that the media and family elders disseminated false information and myths related to first aid. Furthermore, while false information could be corrected in subjects such as foreign body aspiration and hemorrhages that are taught mainly in practice in the curriculum, there was resistance when attempting to rectify false information in more theoretical subjects such as poisoning and epilepsy. Conclusion: Paramedic students are affected by false information related to first aid. Despite the academic education they received to become professional emergency medical service (EMS) employees, they appeared to resist replacing some incorrect first aid information with that which is correct. It is deemed that the media is the most important means to replace false information with true information and spread scientific information.