Confidence and Preparedness of Bangladeshi Medical Students in Performing Emergency and Medication Interventions: Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study Across Eight Divisions
1
Medicine, Manikganj Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Medical students often act as first responders during emergency health situations involving themselves or close family members, particularly in LMICs where delays in accessing emergency care are common. Evidence from several Asia-Pacific countries shows that simulation-based hands-on emergency training improves preparedness among future healthcare professionals. However, Bangladesh lacks nationwide data assessing emergency preparedness among trainees. This gap is critical in a disaster-prone, resource-constrained setting where frontline competence can be lifesaving. This study evaluates the confidence and preparedness of medical and dental students across Bangladesh, contributing to health workforce strengthening and resilient public health systems.
METHODS:
A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted among 671 medical and dental students and intern doctors from 65 public and private institutions across all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. Participants represented all academic years and recent graduates. A questionnaire assessed confidence in core emergency skills, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bleeding control, and emergency medication use, as well as training exposure and perceived barriers.
RESULTS:
Only 16.8% of participants reported receiving emergency skills training, and 16.1% had received training on emergency medication use. Confidence levels were low: only 8.1% strongly agreed they could perform CPR, while 17.3% disagreed. Just 9% felt confident managing severe bleeding, and 45.6% were unsure about correct emergency medication dosages, including for anaphylaxis. Simulation-based training exposure was reported by only 10.7%. Major barriers included lack of hands-on practice (68.8%), insufficient curricular integration (60.9%), and fear of making errors (51.5%). Despite these gaps, 69.7% reported an ethical responsibility to assist family members, while only 12% felt psychologically prepared.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study reveals a significant mismatch between medical education and actual emergency preparedness in Bangladesh. Integrating mandatory simulation-based training, early practical exposure, and psychological readiness into medical curricula is essential to strengthen the future health workforce and support equitable, resilient public health systems in LMICs.
Medical students often act as first responders during emergency health situations involving themselves or close family members, particularly in LMICs where delays in accessing emergency care are common. Evidence from several Asia-Pacific countries shows that simulation-based hands-on emergency training improves preparedness among future healthcare professionals. However, Bangladesh lacks nationwide data assessing emergency preparedness among trainees. This gap is critical in a disaster-prone, resource-constrained setting where frontline competence can be lifesaving. This study evaluates the confidence and preparedness of medical and dental students across Bangladesh, contributing to health workforce strengthening and resilient public health systems.
METHODS:
A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted among 671 medical and dental students and intern doctors from 65 public and private institutions across all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. Participants represented all academic years and recent graduates. A questionnaire assessed confidence in core emergency skills, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bleeding control, and emergency medication use, as well as training exposure and perceived barriers.
RESULTS:
Only 16.8% of participants reported receiving emergency skills training, and 16.1% had received training on emergency medication use. Confidence levels were low: only 8.1% strongly agreed they could perform CPR, while 17.3% disagreed. Just 9% felt confident managing severe bleeding, and 45.6% were unsure about correct emergency medication dosages, including for anaphylaxis. Simulation-based training exposure was reported by only 10.7%. Major barriers included lack of hands-on practice (68.8%), insufficient curricular integration (60.9%), and fear of making errors (51.5%). Despite these gaps, 69.7% reported an ethical responsibility to assist family members, while only 12% felt psychologically prepared.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study reveals a significant mismatch between medical education and actual emergency preparedness in Bangladesh. Integrating mandatory simulation-based training, early practical exposure, and psychological readiness into medical curricula is essential to strengthen the future health workforce and support equitable, resilient public health systems in LMICs.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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