Objective : This study grasps specific task on paramedics who plays a great role in the
emergency scene, thereby eliciting definition of job called paramedics and analyzing
occupation by DACUM method. Thus, the aim is to suggest working-level guidelines on the
task of paramedics.
Methods : It targeted paramedics who are working at hospitals, fire stations, and
industries in Seoul and Gyeonggi area from Oct. 11, 2010 to Nov. 30. A total of 608 copies
of questionnaire were analyzed by DACUM method. A research tool on occupational analysis
consisted of 8 pieces for duty, 43 pieces for task, and 149 pieces for task elements. In order
to survey performance frequency, importance, and difficulty by element, each task was
developed by this research team, and each task was analyzed and finally elicited through
workshop of DACUM method.
Results : The occupational definition of paramedics, which was defined through this
DACUM, was elicited as ‘professional job of performing emergency medical care on the scene,
during transferring, or within medical institution in order to maintain life and prevent
wound deterioration, targeting a person who is put in emergency situation.’ Task element,
whose performance frequency was indicated to be the highest, was in order of checking
mental status(2.76±0.497), checking vital signs(2.70±0.578), and airway/c-spine
immobilization(2.69±.546). Especially, defibrillation stood at 2.23±.655 points. Task
element, whose performance frequency was low, was in order of caring sexual abuse
victims(1.32±0.563), performing cricothyrotomy(1.36±0.618), and caring cardiac arrest
victims(1.40±0.636). Importance of task was in order of airway/c-spine immobilization
(2.88±0.338), maintenance of respiration(2.88±0.351), caring cardiac arrest victims(2.87±
0.349), and performing CPR(2.87±0.361). Task element, whose importance is low, was
indicated to be in order of enema(2.29±0.736), urinary catheterization(2.35±0.664), and
nasogastric intubation(2.35±0.667). Task element, whose difficulty was shown to be the
highest, was indicated to be in order of caring cardiac arrest victims during pregnancy
(2.60±0.559), caring cardiovascular injury(2.59±0.546), and labor management(2.53±0.533).
Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, the job performance work table(Dacom
chart) of paramedics is suggested to be used, thereby being applied to development in
education and curriculum of paramedics. It is necessary to evaluate usefulness of the job
performance work table by estimating effect of education for paramedics based on the job
performance work table of paramedics.