COVID-19 팬데믹에서 감염관리에 대한 구급대원의 교육 실태 및 인지 수준 분석: COVID-19 현장 감염관리 분석*

Abstract

= Abstract = Objective: This study aimed to assess the status of infection control education among Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the level of awareness regarding infection control guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to September 2020 among 3,331 EMS personnel affiliated with designated COVID-19 response institutions in Korea. The questionnaire consisted of items regarding education experience, awareness of behavioral guidelines, and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage. Data were analyzed using frequency analysis, χ² tests, and multiple logistic regression to explore educational patterns and determinants of training intent. Results: A total of 87.4% of respondents reported receiving infection control education after the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Korea. However, education was primarily provided through local fire departments (72.9%) rather than infection control experts. Awareness of behavioral guidelines remained limited, with a discrepancy between high training participation and actual knowledge depth. While PPE usage for aerosol-generating procedures was high for masks and suits, face shields were underutilized. Notably, 91.0% of participants recognized the need for further education, which was a strong predictor for willingness to participate in advanced training. Conclusion: Despite the quantitative increase in infection control training for EMS personnel during the pandemic, the qualitative depth of guideline awareness remained insufficient. The findings suggest an urgent need for standardized, expert-led education programs to bridge the gap between training frequency and practical knowledge.