A Study on Empowerment and Critical Thinking of the 1st Emergency Medical Technician

1급 응급구조사의 임파워먼트와 비판적 사고성향에 관한 연구

Purpose: This study examines the degree of empowerment recognized by the 1st paramedics and the trend of their critical thinking, analyzes correlations between empowerment and critical thinking to reveal whether there is statistically significant difference between them and then is to provide basic materials necessary for research on empowerment and critical thinking. Method: This study distributes 105 structured self-report questionnaires to the 1st emergency medical technicians working at fire fighting police boxes, general hospitals, clinics and emergency medical information centers in G Metropolitan City and J province from April 29 to May 28, 2006, collects their responses directly and analyzes results with t-test, F-test(ANOVA) and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. Result: 1. First, average score of empowerment of subjects was 4.68 out of 6 and according to scores by area, capacity 5.98 was highest, followed by significance 5.41, self- determination 4.44 and effectiveness 3.79. 2. degree of empowerment according to general characteristics of subjects showed statistically significant differences in final education(F=2.714, p= .049), level of salary (F=3.298, p= .014) and satisfaction of current job (F=5.399, p= .001). 3. average score of critical thinking of subjects was 3.28 out of 7 and according to areas, no bias 3.95 was highest, followed by maturity 3.68, structure 3.35, inquisitiveness 3.11, pursuit of truth 3.07, critical thinking and self-confidence 3.00, analyticity 2.98. 4. degree of critical thinking by general characteristics of subjects showed statistically significant differences in age(F=2.577, p= .041), final education (F=7.877, p= .000), current workplace (F=3.513, p= .018), level of salary(F=4.628, p= .002), satisfaction with current job(F=6.879, p= .000) and intention to transfer current job(t=15.21, p=.000). 5. as a result of correlations between empowerment and critical thinking of subjects, Pearson correlation coefficients between whole empowerment and critical thinking were r= .21, p=.013. Conclusion: It is considered that the 1st paramedic managers must seek how to keep and manage empowerment and development of education and training program which can enhance critical thinking is needed. Further, emergency educators must develop educational program based on the concept of empowerment to establish early awareness of a desirable organization culture and increase understanding of empowerment in the process of education.