Аnalysis of the readiness of medical students to provide first aid to children

Abstract

The purpose of the study: to analyze the state and various components of the readiness of pediatric students to provide first aid to children at various stages of training and to propose intra-university approaches to improving it.
Materials and methods. A survey was conducted at the Ivanovo State Medical University of the Russian Ministry of Health to assess the readiness of students of the pediatric faculty (n=482) to provide first aid to children.
Results. Among respondents, 42.9% of students considered themselves prepared to provide first aid to children, 48.3% rated their knowledge as sufficient, and 42.9% rated their skills as sufficient. 37.7% of respondents knew the conditions for first aid, 42.9% knew the list of conditions for which first aid is provided, and 43.6% knew the list of measures and their sequence. 56.4% considered themselves psychologically prepared to provide first aid to children.
Conclusion. Students’ readiness to provide first aid to children is insufficient, varying across stages of study, with the most unfavorable indicators occurring in the third year. This may negatively impact students’ understanding of the requirements for interaction in providing first aid and emergency medical services, and may reduce the quality of emergency medical care. Student training in first aid should emphasize developing a clear understanding of its status and procedures, understanding the role of specially trained individuals in providing it and interacting with emergency medical services, and the legal implications of training. To develop students’ sustainable readiness to provide first aid to children, systematic supportive, motivational, informational, and educational work is necessary at the university.