The Correlation between Mathematics Anxiety, Numerical Ability and Drug Calculation Ability of Paramedic Students - An Explanatory Mixed Method Study

Q: What was the purpose of this study on paramedic students?

To explore the relationship between numerical ability, mathematics anxiety, and drug calculation performance, and to identify factors contributing to drug calculation ability among paramedic students.

Q: How was the study conducted?

It used a sequential explanatory mixed-method approach: a paper-based questionnaire followed by structured face-to-face interviews.

Q: What did the study find about mathematics anxiety and drug calculation ability?

Drug calculation is fundamental in paramedic practice and is negatively and indirectly impacted by mathematics anxiety, while numerical ability and prior mathematics education contribute to performance.

Sep 5, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel

Study evaluates how mathematics anxiety relates to numerical ability and influences drug calculation performance among paramedic students, aiming to identify contributors to medication dosage calculation competence. A sequential explanatory mixed-method design combines a 30-minute paper-based survey measuring mathematics anxiety, numerical ability, and drug calculation ability with follow-up face-to-face interviews. Higher math anxiety was observed in second-year students, while third-year students scored higher on numerical and drug calculation tests. Results indicate medication calculation is fundamental, negatively and indirectly affected by math anxiety, and can be improved via curriculum modifications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Advances in Medical Education and Practice downloaded from [https://www.dovepress.com/](https://www.dovepress.com/) For personal use only. Advances in Medical Education and Practice Dovepress open access to scientific and medical research Open Access Full Text Article ORIGINAL RESEARCH The Correlation between Mathematics Anxiety, Numerical Ability and Drug Calculation Ability of Paramedic Students: An Explanatory Mixed Method Study This article was published in the following Dove Press journal: Advances in Medical Education and Practice Eihab Khasawneh 1 , 2 Cameron Gosling 1 Brett Williams 1 1Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia; 2Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan Correspondence: Eihab Khasawneh Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, 47 – 49 Moorooduc Highway, Frankston, VIC 3199, Australia Tel +61 03 9904536 Email [eihab.khasawneh@monash.edu](eihab.khasawneh@monash.edu) Introduction: Numeracy is the ability to reason and to apply simple numerical concepts. Numerical and drug calculation skills are essential for patient safety. Health-care providers who perform drug calculation in their work required good math skills, especially numerical ability. The aims of this study were to explore the relationship between numerical ability, math anxiety and drug calculation performance and to explore the factors that contribute to drug calculation ability among paramedic students. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-method approach that included a paper-based questionnaire followed by face-to-face interviews was used in this study. The participants completed a 30-minute survey that is composed of demographics, the 10-item Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS), a 12-question numerical ability test (NAT) and a 9-question drug calculation ability test (DCAT) and then were invited for a structured interview. Results: The mean MARS scores were higher for the second-year students than the third students. The NAT and DCAT scores for the third-year students were higher than the secondyear students. There was a significant difference in the mean drug calculation ability test scores (DCAT) (t (106) = 2.13, p = 0.035 and Cohen’s d = 0.43 between males (5.05 (2.32)) and females (4.03 (2.43))) . Math education prior joining the university (beta = 0.862, p = 0.030) made the strongest unique contribution when controlling for the other variables followed by numerical ability (beta =0.25, p <0.001) . The themes that emerged from the interviews included the impact of technology, classmates’ impact, mathematics competence and the mental block. Conclusion: Drug calculation is fundamental in paramedic practice. It is affected by the numerical ability of the students and is negatively and indirectly impacted by mathematics anxiety. Modifications of a paramedic program curriculum can improve student’s ability to think critically and to overcome medication dosage problems. Keywords: drug dosage calculation, allied health personnel, paramedics, anxiety, gender Introduction Numeracy is the ability to reason and to apply simple numerical concepts, 1 such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As the new technology means such as computers, calculators and, mobile applications increasingly took over computational skills, the focus of numeracy education shifted.2 In Victoria, Australia and according to the Department of Education (2009), Numeracy is not the same as [submit your manuscript](submit your manuscript | www.dovepress.com)[ | www.dovepress.com](submit your manuscript | www.dovepress.com)[ ](submit your manuscript | www.dovepress.com)DovePress [http:](http://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S258223)[//doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S258223](http://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S258223) Advances in Medical Education and Practice 2020:11 869–878 869 © 2020 Khasawneh et al. This work is published and licensed by

FAQs

What was the purpose of this study on paramedic students?

To explore the relationship between numerical ability, mathematics anxiety, and drug calculation performance, and to identify factors contributing to drug calculation ability among paramedic students.

How was the study conducted?

It used a sequential explanatory mixed-method approach: a paper-based questionnaire followed by structured face-to-face interviews.

What did the study find about mathematics anxiety and drug calculation ability?

Drug calculation is fundamental in paramedic practice and is negatively and indirectly impacted by mathematics anxiety, while numerical ability and prior mathematics education contribute to performance.

Sep 5, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel