Assessment of the Knowledge Level of Paramedics, Who Serve in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, Regarding the Diagnosis and Treatment of Wide QRS Complex Tachycardia

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge level of paramedics who work in pre-hospital emergency medicine services in the Konya province, about the diagnosis and treatment of wide QRS complex tachycardia.
 
 Material and Methods: The study sample consisted of 140 paramedics working in emergency health service stations affiliated with the Konya Provincial Ambulance Service. The data were collected through a questionnaire prepared by the researcher inquiring about the diagnosis and treatment of wide QRS complex tachycardia and the demographic characteristics.
 
 Results: With the questionnaire, the definition of tachycardia and the duration of QRS on normal electrocardiography were inquired. It was found that 22.1% of the paramedics did not know the definition of tachycardia, and almost half of them did not know the basic electrocardiography knowledge including the normal duration of QRS. the questions about ventricular tachycardia, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, stable ventricular tachycardia and treatment of unstable ventricular tachycardia were ansewered correctly 43.6%,68.6%,62.1% and 29.3% respectively. The knowledge level of paramedics was seen to increase as professional seniority and age increased.
 
 Conclusion: Working years, age, type of high school, and participation in scenario-based simulation training were determined to be the most important factors for correct answers to the questions. In addition, the knowledge level of paramedics about the diagnosis and treatment of wide QRS complex tachycardia was found to be poorer than expected.