Knowledge of Vocational Education and Practical Training Teachers on Providing Pre-medical First Aid in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The authors carried out a long-term research on knowledge of providing premedical first aid amongst elementary school teachers in the past years. The research results showed, among the others, that more than 45% of accidents at schools happen during vocational training. On this basis, the authors decided to carry out a long-term (2019–2021) research verifying the level of selected pre-medical first aid competencies amongst educational professionals providing vocational education and practical training. The study aimed at finding out whether and to what extent the vocational education and practical training teachers are competent in providing layman’s first aid, to understand possible gaps in these competencies, and to establish corresponding training needs. At this moment, the study sample includes 325 teachers of vocational education and practical training at vocational schools, secondary vocational schools, or secondary and higher technical schools, with a varying level of teaching experience. A quantitative method was used (questionnaire) in the research. The respondents completed a questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part focused on selected attitudes, opinions and experience in providing pre-medical first aid, and the second part contained a knowledge test. The results show that the highest number of respondents failed questions on how to stop bleeding and treat wounds. The respondents believe that these are the most frequent injuries during vocational education and practical training. Many respondents also failed questions on what to do in case of a knocked-out tooth (only 42% of correct answers), how to provide first aid in case of epileptic seizure (42% of correct answers), and how to provide first aid in case of hypoglycaemia (31% of correct answers) and asthma (35%). It is clear that the failures stated above might have been influenced by not being familiar with updated international recommended first aid procedures, which are updated every five years, and 53% of respondents do not receive a pre-medical first aid training where they could gain this information. Taking into account the sample size and continuation of the research, it is certainly not possible to draw any general conclusions on the presented research. The respondents themselves state that they feel quite uncertain about their knowledge and skills related to providing layman’s first aid. However, this situation can lead to a serious threat or damage to health and lives of students. The authors of this study realize that it is necessary to take very seriously every sign of incompetency, and that they can only be eliminated by systematic education based, in particular, on regular practical training sessions (acquiring practical skills) in small groups and a development of interactive materials on first aid. An annual training session within the OHS (occupational health and safety) system is evidently insufficient.