Academic achievement on the National Higher Diploma in Emergency Medical Care : the role of personality and study attitudes

Abstract

This study undertook to examine factors potentially contributing to a high rate of attrition experienced on the National Higher Diploma in Emergency Medical Care (EMC) at the Witwatersrand Technikon. The sample group consisted of students currently registered for the EMC course who wished to participate. The total group consisted of 53 students (n=53), 30 of which were first year students, eight were second year students and 15 were third year students. Using the 16 PF and SSHA as assessment tools, this study assessed the role of personality and study habits and attitudes on academic achievement on this course. Initial Kruskal-Wallis analyses of the scores for the three-year groups on a selected number of factors from these instruments showed no significant statistical difference between the groups. Subsequent analyses were consequently performed on the whole group. Five factors were found to be significant in relation to academic achievement on this course. These included abstract, verbal reasoning, levels of anxiety, levels of extraversion, work methods and year level of study. Of the personality factors, two are in accordance with findings of previous research. The findings of this study included comments and recommendations for amendments to the current National Higher Diploma EMC selection procedure.