Attitudes of emergency healthcare workers on electric vehicle accidents: a descriptive study

This study aimed to determine the cognitive, affective, and behavioral attitudes of healthcare professionals involved in the initial intervention, treatment, and reporting of electric vehicle accidents (EVAs) and to compare these attitudes on the basis of their individual characteristics.

A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. The sample consisted of 402 healthcare workers in Turkey. Data were collected via a survey that included demographic questions and the Electric Vehicle Accident Attitude Scale, a 27-item instrument developed by Kayhan et al. Attitudes were measured across cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) were used alongside t tests and ANOVA, and MANOVA to compare attitudes by personal and professional variables. Cluster analysis was used to group participants according to their EVA-related attitudes.

The participants demonstrated moderate overall attitudes toward EVAs. While cognitive and affective attitudes were low, behavioral attitudes were relatively high. No significant differences were found profession, marital status, age, or years of experience (p > 0.05); however, attitudes varied significantly by work unit and gender (p < 0.05). Compared with dispatch and emergency department staff, ambulance teams had more favorable behavioral (M = 3.77) and overall (M = 3.15) attitudes.

EVAs pose unique risks due to their battery structure and limited control, distinguishing them from conventional vehicle incidents. Knowledge gaps and emotional hesitation among healthcare workers highlight the need for targeted training programs that extend beyond healthcare providers to include other frontline responders, such as firefighters and traffic police. In addition, forensic specialists involved in injury assessment and cause-of-death determination should receive EVA-specific awareness training to enhance their preparedness for such cases. Furthermore, the implementation of structured EVA-specific training programs-shaped by the attitudes identified in this study-may not only improve the quality of emergency care but also serve a preventive function in potential future legal risks related to patient care.