Emergency care providers' perspectives of acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 101042
Author(s):  
Andrit Lourens ◽  
Romy Parker ◽  
Peter Hodkinson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Acute Pain ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Prehospital Setting ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers

scholarly journals Acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa: A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrit Lourens ◽  
Peter Hodkinson ◽  
Romy Parker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Prehospital Setting ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pain Care ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background: Acute pain is frequently encountered in the prehospital setting, and therefore, a fundamental aspect of quality emergency care. Research has shown a positive association between health care providers’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards pain and pain management practices. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency care providers regarding acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa. The specific objectives were to, identify gaps in pain knowledge; assess attitudes regarding pain assessment and management; describe pain assessment and management behaviours and practices; and identify barriers to and enablers of pain care. Methods: A web-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among emergency care providers of all qualifications, using a face-validated Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pain survey. Results: Responses of 100 participants was included in the analysis. The survey response rate could not be calculated. The mean age of respondents was 34.74 (SD8.13) years and the mean years’ experience 10.02 (SD6.47). Most respondents were male (69%), employed in the public/government sector (93%) as operational practitioners (85%) with 54% of respondents having attended medical education on pain care in the last two years. The mean percentage for knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers was 58.01% (SD15.66) with gaps identified in various aspects of pain and pain care. Practitioners with higher qualifications, more years’ experience and those who did not attend medical education on pain, achieved higher scores. Alcohol and drug use by patients were the most selected barrier to pain care while the availability of higher qualified practitioners was the most selected enabler. When asked to record pain scores, practitioners were less inclined to assign scores which were self-reported by the patients in the case scenarios. The participant dropout rate was 35%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is suboptimal knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers in the Western Cape, South Africa. Further, gaps in pain knowledge, attitudes and practices were identified. Some barriers and enablers of pain care in the South African prehospital setting were identified but further research is indicated.

scholarly journals Acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa: A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrit Lourens ◽  
Peter Hodkinson ◽  
Romy Parker
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Acute Pain ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Prehospital Setting ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background: Acute pain is frequently encountered in the prehospital setting, and therefore, is known to be a fundamental aspect of quality emergency care. Research has shown a positive association between pain management practices and health care providers’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards pain. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency care providers in relation to acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa. Methods: A web-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among emergency care providers of all qualifications, using a face-validated Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pain survey. Results: A hundred (n=100) respondents, with a mean age of 34.74 (SD 8.13) years and mean of 10.02 (SD 6.47) years of experience participated. Most respondents were male (69%), employed in the public/government sector (93%) as operational emergency care providers (85%) with 54% (n=54) of respondents having attended medical education on pain assessment and management in the last two years. The overall mean percentage of correct answers for knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers was 58.01% (SD 15.66) with gaps identified in various aspects of pain and pain management including: basic knowledge of pain physiology; pain assessment; indicators of severe pain; pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management; culture and spiritual influences; and pain expression. Practitioners with a higher qualification, more years’ experience and those who did not attend medical education on pain, achieved higher overall scores. Pain scores were not assigned to patients’ as self-reported while overall, limited pain relief was provided. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is suboptimal knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among most levels of emergency care qualifications. Pain education is essential, it should occur regularly, and specific educational initiatives aimed at addressing pain knowledge and attitudes have been indicated. Future work should focus on the additional description of the gaps in pain knowledge and attitudes among emergency care providers and exploring the decline over time. Description of barriers to and enablers of pain care in the South African prehospital setting is imperative. Organisational culture should endorse and monitor prehospital pain care.

scholarly journals Acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa: A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrit Lourens ◽  
Peter Hodkinson ◽  
Romy Parker
Keyword(s):  
Acute Pain ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Prehospital Setting ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Pain Knowledge ◽  
Pain Care ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background: Acute pain is frequently encountered in the prehospital setting, and therefore, is known to be a fundamental aspect of quality emergency care. Research has shown a positive association between pain management practices and health care providers’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards pain. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency care providers in relation to acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa. The specific objectives were to, identify gaps in pain knowledge; assess attitudes regarding pain assessment and management, describe pain assessment and management behaviours and practices and identify barriers to and enablers of pain care. Methods: A web-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among emergency care providers of all qualifications, using a face-validated Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pain survey. Results: The mean age of respondents (n=100), was 34.74 (SD 8.13) years and the mean years’ experience 10.02 (SD 6.47). Most respondents were male (69%), employed in the public/government sector (93%) as operational emergency care providers (85%) with 54% of respondents having attended medical education on pain assessment and management in the last two years. The overall mean percentage for knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers was 58.01% (SD 15.66) with gaps identified in various aspects of pain and pain care. Practitioners with a higher qualification, more years’ experience and those who did not attend medical education on pain, achieved higher overall scores. Alcohol and drug use by patients were the most commonly selected barrier to pain care while the availability of higher qualified practitioners was the most frequently selected enabler. Practitioners did not assign pain scores as self-reported by patients while overall, limited pain relief was provided. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is suboptimal knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among most emergency care providers. Further, gaps in pain knowledge, attitudes and practices were identified and can be addressed in undergraduate curricula and through tailored educational initiatives for qualified practitioners Some barriers and enablers of pain care in the South African prehospital setting were identified but further research is indicated to explore.

scholarly journals Acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa: A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrit Lourens ◽  
Peter Hodkinson ◽  
Romy Parker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Prehospital Setting ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pain Care ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Background: Acute pain is frequently encountered in the prehospital setting, and therefore, a fundamental aspect of quality emergency care. Research has shown a positive association between health care providers’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards pain and pain management practices. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency care providers regarding acute pain assessment and management in the prehospital setting, in the Western Cape, South Africa. The specific objectives were to, identify gaps in pain knowledge; assess attitudes regarding pain assessment and management; describe pain assessment and management behaviours and practices; and identify barriers to and enablers of pain care. Methods: A web-based descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among emergency care providers of all qualifications, using a face-validated Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pain survey. Results: Responses of 100 participants was included in the analysis. The survey response rate could not be calculated. The mean age of respondents was 34.74 (SD8.13) years and the mean years’ experience 10.02 (SD6.47). Most respondents were male (69%), employed in the public/government sector (93%) as operational practitioners (85%) with 54% of respondents having attended medical education on pain care in the last two years. The mean percentage for knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers was 58.01% (SD15.66) with gaps identified in various aspects of pain and pain care. Practitioners with higher qualifications, more years’ experience and those who did not attend medical education on pain, achieved higher scores. Alcohol and drug use by patients were the most selected barrier to pain care while the availability of higher qualified practitioners was the most selected enabler. When asked to record pain scores, practitioners were less inclined to assign scores which were self-reported by the patients in the case scenarios. The participant dropout rate was 35%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that there is suboptimal knowledge and attitudes regarding pain among emergency care providers in the Western Cape, South Africa. Further, gaps in pain knowledge, attitudes and practices were identified. Some barriers and enablers of pain care in the South African prehospital setting were identified but further research is indicated.

scholarly journals Paving the Path: Preparing for Microbicide Introduction—Report of a Qualitative Study in South Africa

2004 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
National Level ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
Critical Issues

With recently accelerated support for the development of microbicides to prevent HIV transmission and the urgency of the global AIDS epidemic, it is important to begin to identify strategies for introducing a microbicide once it is proven safe and effective and is approved for use. This report presents results from a qualitative study that explored a range of issues likely to influence microbicide introduction—positively or negatively—at three levels: community, health service, and policy. The study, which identified critical issues to be addressed in building support for microbicides and facilitating a smooth introduction, was conducted between September 2002 and September 2003 in Langa, a peri-urban site in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, and at national and provincial levels. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, this study explored and identified issues that could facilitate or undermine access to and use of microbicides. Respondents included community members, health care providers and managers, provincial- and national-level government officials, and representatives from national and provincial nongovernmental organizations and health professional bodies that influence policy.

scholarly journals Paving the Path: Preparing for Microbicide Introduction—Report of a Qualitative Study in South Africa [Executive Summary]

2004 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
National Level ◽  
Urban Site ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Executive Summary ◽  
Critical Issues

With recently accelerated support for the development of microbicides to prevent HIV transmission and the urgency of the global AIDS epidemic, it is important to begin to identify strategies for introducing a microbicide once it is proven safe and effective and is approved for use. This executive summary presents results from a qualitative study that explored a range of issues likely to influence microbicide introduction at the community, health service, and policy levels. The study, which identified critical issues to be addressed in building support for microbicides and facilitating a smooth introduction, was conducted between September 2002 and September 2003 in Langa, a peri-urban site in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, and at national and provincial levels. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, this study explored and identified issues that could facilitate or undermine access to and use of microbicides. Respondents included community members, health care providers and managers, provincial- and national-level government officials, and representatives from national and provincial nongovernmental organizations and health professional bodies that influence policy.

scholarly journals Clinical evolution, management and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa: a research protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e039455
Author(s):  
Brian W Allwood ◽  
Coenraad FN Koegelenberg ◽  
Elvis Irusen ◽  
Usha Lalla ◽  
Razeen Davids ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Model ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Hospital Data

IntroductionThe outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19, declared a global pandemic by the WHO, is a novel infection with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, 55 421 cases have been confirmed as of 10 June 2020, with most cases in the Western Cape Province. Coronavirus leaves us in a position of uncertainty regarding the best clinical approach to successfully manage the expected high number of severely ill patients with COVID-19. This presents a unique opportunity to gather data to inform best practices in clinical approach and public health interventions to control COVID-19 locally. Furthermore, this pandemic challenges our resolve due to the high burden of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in our country as data are scarce. This study endeavours to determine the clinical presentation, severity and prognosis of patients with COVID-19 admitted to our hospital.Methods and analysisThe study will use multiple approaches taking into account the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospective observational design to describe specific patterns of risk predictors of poor outcomes among patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to Tygerberg Hospital. Data will be collected from medical records of patients with severe COVID-19 admitted at Tygerberg Hospital. Using the Cox proportional hazards model, we will investigate the association between the survival time of patients with COVID-19 in relation to one or more of the predictor variables including HIV and TB.Ethics and disseminationThe research team obtained ethical approval from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Research Committee of the Tygerberg Hospital. All procedures for the ethical conduct of scientific investigation will be adhered to by the research team. The findings will be disseminated in clinical seminars, scientific forums and conferences targeting clinical care providers and policy-makers.

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