First aid educational needs among nursing officers in military primary clinics: a mixed-methods study

Evidence regarding the first aid duties and educational needs of nursing officers in military primary healthcare facilities is limited. We aimed to develop a comprehensive first aid task inventory for nursing officers in such primary military clinics and to identify educational priorities using multiple analytic approaches.

A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed. Nursing officer communities at primary military clinics across South Korea were targeted; 11 nursing officers participated in focus group interviews and 47 completed a nationwide survey. A multi-step process was conducted from August to December 2024, comprising a literature review, secondary data analysis of 939,530 emergency room visits from the Defense Medical Statistics Information System (2013–2022), focus group interviews, and a nationwide survey. Educational needs were assessed using both importance–performance analysis and the Borich needs assessment model.

A total of 79 first aid tasks were identified, including 62 direct nursing and 17 emergency management duties. Both the importance–performance analysis and Borich needs assessment consistently prioritised 16 tasks, while seven additional tasks were prioritised by only one method—either importance–performance or Borich. High-priority tasks included caring for brain injury, chest injury, intraperitoneal organ injury, neural and spinal cord injury, crush injury, airway haemorrhage, inhalation burn, shock, blast and penetrating injuries, suicidal ideation and self-harm, and drowning.

This study provides the first systematic evidence on first aid duties and educational needs of nursing officers in primary military clinics in South Korea. The findings highlight the need for structured, military-contextualised continuing education programmes.

Not applicable.