Task-specific self-efficacy of Bulgarian seafarers in providing medical care at sea: A cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14748/9zjhaq81Keywords:
occupational health, medical training, self-efficacy, medical emergencies at sea, maritime medicine, seafarersAbstract
Introduction: Seafarers operate in isolated environments where medical emergencies must often be managed initially by non-medical crew members. Although international maritime regulations require medical training, compliance does not necessarily ensure adequate preparedness for complex emergencies. Self-efficacy – defined as the belief in one’s capacity to perform specific tasks – is an important predictor of performance during emergencies.
Aim: This study aims to assess task-specific self-efficacy among Bulgarian seafarers in providing medical care onboard ships across five core maritime medical competencies.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 251 Bulgarian seafarers (captains, chief mates, and second mates) between July 21 and August 19, 2025. Self-efficacy was assessed using five items evaluating emergency recognition, first aid provision, life-saving procedures, medication administration, and management of multi-casualty emergencies. Perceived difficulty of managing medical conditions was also evaluated. Responses were recorded on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics with Jamovi (version 2.7.17).
Results: Self-efficacy varied across competencies, with the highest levels reported for medication administration (94.0%) and first aid for common injuries (93.6%). Lower self-efficacy was observed for life-saving procedures (78.1%) and multi-casualty emergency management (75.3%). No respondents reported low self-efficacy. A substantial proportion of respondents (93.2%) reported a need for additional medical training.
Conclusion: Generally, Bulgarian seafarers demonstrate moderate to high task-specific self-efficacy in providing medical care onboard ships. However, lower confidence in complex emergencies highlights the need for enhanced practical and simulation-based training to improve preparedness for high-acuity situations at sea.
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Data Availability Statement
- The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [TY], upon reasonable request.
