Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of death in
paramedic student. The results of this study will help develop education program for death
orientation, paramedic students education and practice.
Methods : A total of 201 paramedic students filled out the questionnaire. The perception of
death was examined using questionnaires designed for examining Death Orientation. The data
were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 statistics program for frequency, percentage, average, standard
deviation, t-test, ANOVA, cronbach alpha coefficient, factor analysis. cronbach alpha
coefficient was .866.
Results : The paramedic students' got a score of 2.35(?48) on the Orientation on death
as average. The reason is that death is not yet pressing them at all and ahead of their lives
they have many days to live. With respect to the Death Orientation, significant differences
was found in experience of death(t=2.318, p=.021). Group of death experience was higher
than group of no death experience. In view of the attitude on afterlife, students responded
no afterlife(24.9%), unknown after death(22.4%).
Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that paramedic curriculum should include
education program on death and improve quality of prehospital care. Additional studies are
needed to establish death education for paramedic.