Facilitators and Barriers to Preparedness Partnerships: A Veterans Affairs Medical Center Perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Schmitz ◽  
Tamar Wyte-Lake ◽  
Aram Dobalian
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Shared Goal ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Barriers To Collaboration

AbstractObjectiveThis study sought to understand facilitators and barriers faced by local US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) emergency managers (EMs) when collaborating with non-VA entities.MethodsTwelve EMs participated in semi-structured interviews lasting 60 to 90 minutes discussing their collaboration with non-VAMC organizations. Sections of the interview transcripts concerning facilitators and barriers to collaboration were coded and analyzed. Common themes were organized into 2 categories: (1) internal (ie, factors affecting collaboration from within VAMCs or by VA policy) and (2) external (ie, interagency or interpersonal factors).ResultsRespondents reported a range of facilitators and barriers to collaboration with community-based agencies. Internal factors facilitating collaboration included items such as leadership support. An internal barrier example included lack of clarity surrounding the VAMC’s role in community disaster response. External factors noted as facilitators included a shared goal across organizations while a noted barrier was a perception that potential partners viewed a VAMC partnership with skepticism.ConclusionFederal institutions are important partners for the success of community disaster preparedness and response. Understanding the barriers that VAMCs confront, as well as potential facilitators to collaboration, should enhance the development of VAMC–community partnerships and improve community health resilience. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:431–436)

Post-Preparedness Medical Disaster Response in Costa Rica

1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Bissell ◽  
Ernesto Pretto ◽  
Derek C. Angus ◽  
Bern Shen ◽  
Victor Ruíz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Urban Populations ◽  
Radio Communications ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Epidemiologic Data

AbstractIntroduction:The 1991 earthquake in the Limón area of Costa Rica presented the opportunity to examine the effectiveness of a decade of disaster preparedness.Hypothesis:Costa Rica's concentrated work in disaster preparedness would result in significantly better management of the disaster response than was evident in earlier disasters in Guatemala and Nicaragua, where disaster preparedness largely was absent.Methods:Structured interviews with disaster responders in and outside of government, and with victims and victims' neighbors. Clinical and epidemiologic data were collected through provider agencies and the coroner's office.Results:Medical aspects of the disaster response were effective and well-managed through a network of clinic-based radio communications. Nonmedical aspects showed confusion resulting from: 1) poor government understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the central disaster coordinating agency; and 2) poor extension of disaster preparedness activities to the rural area that was affected by the earthquake.Conclusion:To be effective, disaster preparedness activities need to include all levels of government and rural, as well as urban, populations.

scholarly journals Workforce preparedness for disasters: perceptions of clinical and non-clinical staff at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aram Dobalian ◽  
Michelle D. Balut ◽  
Claudia Der-Martirosian
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Clinical Staff ◽  
Department Of Veterans Affairs ◽  
Narrow Scope ◽  
Medical Facilities ◽  
Workforce Preparedness ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background Most U.S. studies on workforce preparedness have a narrow scope, focusing primarily on perceptions of clinical staff in a single hospital and for one type of disaster. In contrast, this study compares the perceptions of workplace disaster preparedness among both clinical and non-clinical staff at all U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities nationwide for three types of disasters (natural, epidemic/pandemic, and manmade). Methods The VA Preparedness Survey used a stratified simple random, web-based survey (fielded from October through December 2018) of all employees at VA medical facilities. We conducted bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to compare the sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of disaster preparedness between clinical and non-clinical VA staff. Results The study population included 4026 VA employees (2488 clinicians and 1538 non-clinicians). Overall, VA staff were less confident in their medical facility’s ability to respond to epidemic/pandemics and manmade disasters. Depending on the type of disaster, clinical staff, compared to non-clinical staff, were less likely to be confident in their VA medical facility’s ability to respond to natural disasters (OR:0.78, 95% CI:0.67–0.93, p < 0.01), pandemics (OR:0.82, 95% CI:0.70–0.96, p < 0.05), and manmade disasters (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63–0.86, p < 0.001). On the other hand, clinicians, compared to non-clinicians, were 1.45 to 1.78 more likely to perceive their role in disaster response to be important (natural OR:1.57, 95% CI:1.32–1.87; pandemic OR:1.78, 95% CI:1.51–2.10; manmade: OR:1.45; 95% CI: 1.23–1.71; p’s < 0.001), and 1.27 to 1.29 more likely to want additional trainings to prepare for all three types of disasters (natural OR:1.29, 95% CI:1.10–1.51; pandemic OR:1.27, 95% CI:1.08–1.49; manmade OR:1.29; 95% CI:1.09–1.52; p’s < 0.01). Clinicians were more likely to be women, younger, and more educated (p’s < 0.001) than non-clinicians. Compared to clinicians, non-clinical staff had been employed longer with the VA (p < 0.025) and were more likely to have served in the U.S. Armed Forces (p < 0.001). Conclusions These findings suggest both a desire and a need for additional training, particularly for clinicians, and with a focus on epidemics/pandemics and manmade disasters. Training programs should underscore the importance of non-clinical roles when responding to disasters.

Who’s in charge? Results from a qualitative study of caregiver perspectives on the care transition process

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Shirley ◽  
Nathaniel Erskine ◽  
David D McManus ◽  
Catarina I Kiefe ◽  
Milena Anatchkova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Care Transitions ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Care Transition ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medical Provider ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Health Insurance Status

Background: Care transitions are a topic of increasing interest as researchers and clinicians focus their effects on patient outcomes. Engaging caregivers, who play important roles in care transitions, may yield valuable insight into how care transition processes can be improved. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews, focusing on caregivers’ experiences with and perceptions of care transitions, with 11 eligible caregivers whose loved ones had recently experienced an unplanned admission to a single academic medical center. Our research team analyzed the transcripts to identify key themes.Results: Caregivers detailed multiple factors affecting care transitions, including both in-hospital and external elements. Identifying the medical provider in charge of care emerged as a common difficulty. Other areas of interest included receiving discharge information, length of stay, health insurance status, the presence of social support, access to transportation and educational level, among others. Caregivers’ views on the quality of various in-hospital aspects of their own care transition experiences varied.Conclusions: Caregivers re-affirmed the complexity of the care transition process by identifying myriad factors that influence their quality. Taking steps to address these factors may help hospitals to empower and engage caregivers, as well as to improve care transitions overall and better manage the health of their patients.

scholarly journals A Rapid Assessment of Disaster Preparedness Needs and Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence Palinkas ◽  
Benjamin Springgate ◽  
Olivia Sugarman ◽  
Jill Hancock ◽  
Ashley Wennerstrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Impact

Background: This year has seen the emergence of two major crises, a significant increase in frequency and severity of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known as to how each of these two events have impacted the other. A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted to determine the impact of the pandemic on preparedness and response to natural disasters and the impact of past experiences with natural disasters in responding to the pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 representatives of 24 different community-based programs in southern Louisiana. Data were analyzed using procedures embedded in the Rapid Assessment Procedure – Informed Community Ethnography methodology, using techniques of immersion and crystallization and focused thematic analysis. Results: The pandemic has impacted the form and function of disaster preparedness, making it harder to plan for evacuations in event of a hurricane. Specific concerns included being able to see people in-person, providing food and other resources to residents who shelter in place, finding volunteers to assist in food distribution and other forms of disaster response, competing for funds to support disaster-related activities, developing new support infrastructures, and focusing on equity in disaster preparedness. However, several strengths based on disaster preparedness experience and capabilities were identified, including providing a framework for how to respond and adapt to COVID and integration of COVID response with their normal disaster preparedness activities. Conclusions: Although prior experience has enabled community-based organizations to respond to the pandemic, the pandemic is also creating new challenges to preparing for and responding to natural disasters.

Survey of Factors Affecting Health Care Workers’ Perception Towards Institutional and Individual Disaster Preparedness

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghee Hian Lim ◽  
Beng Leong Lim ◽  
Alicia Vasu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Incident Response ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Response Training ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Training Opportunities

AbstractIntroductionHealth care institutions constantly must be prepared for disaster response. However, there are deficiencies in the current level of preparedness. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the perception of health care workers (HCWs) towards individual and institutional preparedness for a disaster.MethodsA survey on disaster incident preparedness was conducted among doctors, nurses, and allied health workers over a period of two months in 2010. The survey investigated perceptions of disaster preparedness at the individual and institutional level. Responses were measured using a five-point Likert scale. The primary outcomes were factors affecting HCWs’ perception of institution and individual preparedness. Secondary outcomes were the proportions of staff willing to participate and to place importance on disaster response training and their knowledge of access to such training. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was performed to determine the factors that influenced the HCWs’ perception of their individual and institutional readiness. Odd ratios (ORs) of such factors were reported with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsOf 1700 HCWs, 1534 (90.2%) completed the survey. 75.3% (1155/1534) felt that the institution was ready for a disaster incident, but only 36.4% (558/1534) felt that they (as individuals) were prepared. Some important factors associated with a positive perception of institution preparedness were leadership preparedness (OR = 13.19; 95% CI, 9.93-17.51), peer preparedness (OR = 6.11; 95% CI, 4.27-8.73) and availability of training opportunities (OR = 4.76; 95% CI, 3.65-6.22). Some important factors associated with a positive perception of individual preparedness were prior experience in disaster response (OR = 2.80; 95% CI, 1.99-3.93), institution preparedness (OR = 3.71; 95% CI, 2.68-5.14), peer preparedness (OR = 3.49; 95% CI, 2.75-4.26), previous training in disaster response (OR = 3.48; 95% CI, 2.76-4.39) and family support (OR = 3.22; 95% CI, 2.54-4.07). Most (80.7%, 1238/1534) were willing to participate in future disaster incident response training, while 74.5% (1143/1534) felt that being able to respond to a disaster incident constitutes part of their professional competency. However, only 27.8% (426/1534) knew how to access these training opportunities.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that HCWs fare poorly in their perception of their individual preparedness. Important factors that might contribute to improving this perception at the individual and institution level have been identified. These factors could guide the review and implementation of future disaster incident response training in health care institutions.LimGH, LimBL, VasuA. Survey of factors affecting health care workers’ perception towards institutional and individual disaster preparedness. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):1-6.

scholarly journals A Rapid Assessment of Disaster Preparedness Needs and Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 425
Author(s):  
Lawrence A. Palinkas ◽  
Benjamin F. Springgate ◽  
Olivia K. Sugarman ◽  
Jill Hancock ◽  
Ashley Wennerstrom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Impact

Background: This year has seen the emergence of two major crises, a significant increase in the frequency and severity of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known as to how each of these two events have impacted the other. A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted to determine the impact of the pandemic on preparedness and response to natural disasters and the impact of past experiences with natural disasters in responding to the pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 representatives of 24 different community-based programs in southern Louisiana. Data were analyzed using procedures embedded in the Rapid Assessment Procedure-Informed Community Ethnography methodology, using techniques of immersion and crystallization and focused thematic analysis. Results: The pandemic has impacted the form and function of disaster preparedness, making it harder to plan for evacuations in the event of a hurricane. Specific concerns included being able to see people in person, providing food and other resources to residents who shelter in place, finding volunteers to assist in food distribution and other forms of disaster response, competing for funds to support disaster-related activities, developing new support infrastructures, and focusing on equity in disaster preparedness. However, several strengths based on disaster preparedness experience and capabilities were identified, including providing a framework for how to respond and adapt to COVID and integration of COVID response with their normal disaster preparedness activities. Conclusions: Although prior experience has enabled community-based organizations to respond to the pandemic, the pandemic is also creating new challenges to preparing for and responding to natural disasters.

Too Much to Bear

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole J. Peak ◽  
James C. Overholser ◽  
Josephine Ridley ◽  
Abby Braden ◽  
Lauren Fisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Perceived Burdensomeness ◽  
Scale Method

Abstract. Background: People who feel they have become a burden on others may become susceptible to suicidal ideation. When people no longer feel capable or productive, they may assume that friends and family members would be better off without them. Aim: The present study was designed to assess preliminary psychometric properties of a new measure, the Perceived Burdensomeness (PBS) Scale. Method: Depressed psychiatric patients (N = 173) were recruited from a veterans affairs medical center. Patients were assessed with a structured diagnostic interview and self-report measures assessing perceived burdensomeness, depression severity, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. Results: The present study supported preliminary evidence of reliability and concurrent validity of the PBS. Additionally, perceived burdensomeness was significantly associated with higher levels of hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Conclusion: It is hoped that with the aid of the PBS clinicians may be able to intervene more specifically in the treatment of suicidality.

WISATA BAHARI PADA ZONA PEMANFAATAN TAMAN NASIONAL MANUSELA: POTENSI DAN FAKTOR PENGARUH PENGEMBANGAN

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
Ivonne R. G. Kaya ◽  
Fildo De Lima
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Tourist Attractions ◽  
Income Sources ◽  
Economic Progress ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Tourism Attractions ◽  
Depth Interviews

Tourism has become one of the major players in ‎international commerce and represents one of the main income ‎sources for many developing countries at the same time. These dynamics have turned tourism into a key driver for socio-‎economic progress.‎ This article described the potential of tourism attraction and factor affecting the development of marine tourism area in the utilization zone of Manusela National Park. Semi-structured interviews, in-depth interviews and participant observations were conducted with respondent (n=110) in Bellarizky, Air Belanda, Ora Beach and Lizar Bahari resort. The potential of tourist attractions in the utilization zone of Manusela National Park is as a snorkeling, diving and point of view. Factors affecting the development are service, transportation, supporting facilities and tourism attractions.

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