Decision-Making Under Uncertainty in Paramedic Students: A START Triage Perspective

This study examined whether intolerance of uncertainty and decision-making styles were associated with theoretical START triage knowledge among paramedic students. Secondary exploratory analyses assessed psychosocial differences according to self-rated decision-making under stress, perceived coping with uncertainty, professional motivation, and challenges in prehospital emergency care.

In this cross-sectional study, 121 students from a First and Emergency Aid Program completed a self-administered paper-based questionnaire including a sociodemographic form, the Decision-Making Styles Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12, and the START Triage Knowledge Test. Data were collected in classroom settings under researcher supervision between May and June 2025 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and correlation analyses.

The mean theoretical START triage knowledge score was 69.99 ± 14.76. START knowledge was not significantly associated with intolerance of uncertainty or decision-making style subscale scores. Exploratory analyses identified associations between psychosocial scores and self-rated decision-making under stress, coping with uncertainty, professional motivation, and perceived challenges.

Theoretical START triage knowledge was not associated with intolerance of uncertainty or decision-making styles. Secondary findings were limited to self-reported psychosocial associations. The study assessed declarative knowledge and did not evaluate START application in simulated or field settings. Future studies should use simulation-based, scenario-based, or observational outcomes.