Uses of first line emergency services in Cuba

This study assesses first line supervisors’ perceptions of the effectiveness of leadership in managing the change process. This is analyzed in terms of employee’s perceptions of the effectiveness of leadership communication, ability to motivate staff and to effectively manage change. The prevailing leadership styles are also assessed. The study was undertaken in a municipal fire and emergency services division in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and the population comprises of 60 first line supervisors from which a sample of 52 employees was drawn using the systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using an established questionnaire that was modified for the purposes of this study. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire (validity and reliability) were assessed using Factor Analysis and Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha respectively. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicate that first line supervisors believe that the leadership of the organization is able to effectively manage change though improvement is needed in terms of their ability to motivate employees and communicate effectively. The dominant leadership style is autocratic leadership followed by impoverished leadership styles which explains the lower concern for motivation and communication that surfaced in this organization. The study also found that only team/participative leadership style correlates significantly with leaders’ potential to motivate employees, communicate and manage change respectively. Recommendations are made to enhance leadership effectiveness

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A Real-World Study of the Association between a Brief Group Psychoeducation and the Course of Bipolar Disorder

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18095019 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 5019

Author(s):

Elisabet Casellas ◽

Beatriz Raventós ◽

Marina Piñeiro-Ríos ◽

Helena Navarro-Martínez ◽

Maite Castillón-Espezel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Services ◽

Psychiatric Hospitalization ◽

Bipolar Disorders ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Self Management ◽

Occurrence Rate ◽

First Line ◽

Group Psychoeducation ◽

The Mean ◽

Relapse Rates

Although pharmacotherapy is considered the first-line treatment for bipolar disorders (BD), adjunctive psychoeducation has proven its effectiveness in improving self-management of the disease and reducing relapse rates. Few studies have evaluated the effect of brief group psychoeducation on pragmatic variables, such as the number of hospitalizations. The aim of the present study was to assess the mid-term effect of a four-session group psychoeducation on course-related variables in BD. Thirty-two individuals with BD were included in the study. Sixteen were exposed to psychoeducation and were matched to sixteen nonexposed individuals who received their usual treatment. Both groups were compared on insight, treatment adherence, change in the number of hospitalizations and visits to the emergency services, occurrence rate after intervention, and time to the first psychiatric hospitalization and the first urgent attendance. There was a significant reduction in the mean number of hospitalizations and urgent attendances in the exposed group in comparison to the nonexposed group. The first urgent attendance was significantly sooner in the nonexposed cohort. There were no differences between groups in any of the other variables. This intervention has shown benefits for pragmatic variables of the disease course and may be a feasible and cost-effective intervention to routinely implement in the management of BD.

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