Knowledge, attitude, and performance of emergency medical technicians related to forensic issues in Kashan, 2017

In the healthcare team, the pre-hospital emergency medical technicians are the first individuals who encounter forensic issues. This study aims to determine the status of knowledge, attitude, and performance of emergency medical technicians on forensic issues in Kashan, 2017. This descriptive study was conducted with the participation of 110 emergency medical technicians in Kashan through using a census. Data were collected by using demographic characteristics and a researcher- made knowledge, attitude and performance questionnaire. The researcher-made questionnaire consisted of 42 questions, and each of knowledge, attitude and performance section had 10,10, and 22 questions, respectively. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square and ANOVA and SPSS 16 software. This research shows that the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and performance of emergency medical technicians on forensic issues were 5.69 ± 2.14, 30.95 ± 9.26 and 14.95 ± 4.40, respectively. Findings indicated that knowledge, attitude, and performance status are significantly related to educational level (P <0.001) and type of employment (P <0.01) and have no relationship with age, background, and type of education. Knowledge, attitude, and performance of Kashan medical emergency technicians related to forensic issues were at a medium level. Updating the knowledge, attitude, and performance of emergency medical technicians in this area is important to discover or to clarify forensic records and to protect the relevant evidence.