title: Mathematical and drug calculation abilities of paramedic students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine if undergraduate paramedics could accurately perform common drug calculations and basic mathematical computations normally required in the workplace.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive paper-based questionnaire collecting demographical data, student attitudes regarding their drug calculation performance, and answers to a series of basic mathematical and drug calculation questions was administered to undergraduate paramedic students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean score was 39.5% with only 3.3% of students (n=3) scoring greater than 90%, and 63% (n=58) scoring 50% or less. Conceptual errors made up 48.5%, arithmetical 31.1% and computational 17.4%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests undergraduate paramedics have deficiencies in performing accurate calculations with conceptual errors indicating a fundamental lack of mathematical understanding.
authors.affiliation: Monash University, Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia. kathryn.eastwood@monash.edu
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eastwood
authors.forename: Malcolm J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D011361:Professional Competence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires