The Investigation of Paramedic Candidates’ Problem Solving Skills and Attitudes Towards Internet Usage

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate problem solving skills and attitudes towards internet usage of paramedic candidates and also to determine factors associated with problem solving skills.
Methods
The sample of this cross-sectional study was composed of 279 students who attend to the Ambulance and First Aid Care Techniquere program at a school in the city centre of Ankara. Data were collected by using a questionnaire, the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) and the Attitude Scale Towards Internet Usage (ASIU). The Kolmogrov-Smirnov test, descriptive analysis, Student t-test, analysis of correlation and reliability analysis were used to analyze the data.
Results
Mean age of the study group was 18.7 ± 0.9 years and all (100%) males. The students’ mean PSI total score was 93.9 ± 20.7 and the mean ASIU total score was 3.39 ± 0.60. In this study, there was a correlation between the mean PSI scores and age, academic achievement ranking and the ASIU total score (p<0.05). The mean PSI scores were statistically significant different by class levels (t= 2.642; p= 0.009).
Conclusion
The results of this study showed that problem solving skills and attitudes towards internet usage of paramedic candidates should be improved. Educators should be aware of the factors associated with problem solving skills.