RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Mathematical and drug calculation abilities of paramedic students JF Emergency Medicine Journal JO Emerg Med J FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine SP 241 OP 242 DO 10.1136/emermed-2011-200929 VO 30 IS 3 A1 Eastwood, Kathryn A1 Boyle, Malcolm J A1 Williams, Brett YR 2013 UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/30/3/241.abstract AB Aim The objective of this study was to determine if undergraduate paramedics could accurately perform common drug calculations and basic mathematical computations normally required in the workplace. Method A descriptive paper-based questionnaire collecting demographical data, student attitudes regarding their drug calculation performance, and answers to a series of basic mathematical and drug calculation questions was administered to undergraduate paramedic students. Results The mean score was 39.5% with only 3.3% of students (n=3) scoring greater than 90%, and 63% (n=58) scoring 50% or less. Conceptual errors made up 48.5%, arithmetical 31.1% and computational 17.4%. Conclusion This study suggests undergraduate paramedics have deficiencies in performing accurate calculations with conceptual errors indicating a fundamental lack of mathematical understanding.