보건진료소장의 응급상황 대처역량과 실제 대응경험: 혼합연구

Emergency Response Competence and Experiences in Emergency Situations among Community Health Practitioners: A Mixed-Methods Study

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the emergency response competencies of community health practitioners (CHPs) in medically underserved rural areas and explore their emergency response experiences using a mixed-methods approach. Methods: This study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Quantitative data were collected through a nationwide survey of 156 CHPs and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression, and Borich’s Needs Assessment Model. Qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with five CHPs and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings are integrated into the discussion phase. Results: Emergency response competence was moderate, whereas confidence in emergency response and trust in the local emergency medical systems were relatively low. In the present study, emergency medical knowledge was the strongest predictor of response competence. Qualitative findings showed that CHPs frequently managed emergencies related to agricultural injuries, pesticide poisoning, and the exacerbation of chronic conditions among older adults. Limited resources, delayed patient transfer, and a lack of standardized guidelines led CHPs to rely heavily on personal judgment, whereas repeated emergency experiences fostered a strong sense of responsibility toward community residents. Conclusion: Emergency responses in rural areas are largely sustained by individual competencies rather than systematic support. Context-specific scenario-based education is required to strengthen emergency response competencies among CHPs in rural primary healthcare settings.