Factors Affecting Attitudes Toward Defibrillator Use Among Clinical Nurses in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

IntroductionNurses are often first responders to in-hospital cardiac arrests. However, many nurses do not perform defibrillation even when required. Nurses’ attitudes toward defibrillator use are influenced by social and psychological context. This descriptive, cross-sectional study explored factors affecting attitudes toward defibrillator use among nurses in South Korea. MethodsA total of 280 nurses with a minimum of 6 months’ clinical experience were included. The data were acquired through a self-administered questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to determine factors significantly associated with attitudes toward defibrillator use. ResultsOnly 13.6% of the participating nurses had experience with defibrillator use in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation situation, whereas 94.6% of the nurses had received training on defibrillator use. Attitudes toward defibrillator use accounted for 37% of variance in measures of self-confidence, image, and job fit. DiscussionTo improve clinical nurses’ attitudes toward defibrillator use, improving their self-confidence, image, and job fit through ongoing assessment and retraining on defibrillation is required. In addition, relevant institutional support and systematic guidelines should be provided.