scholarly journals A Qualitative Analysis of the Spontaneous Volunteer Response to the 2013 Sudan Floods: Changing the Paradigm

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Albahari ◽  
Carl H. Schultz

AbstractIntroductionWhile the concept of community resilience is gaining traction, the role of spontaneous volunteers during the initial response to disasters remains controversial. In an attempt to resolve some of the debate, investigators examined the activities of a spontaneous volunteer group called Nafeer after the Sudan floods around the city of Khartoum in August of 2013.HypothesisCan spontaneous volunteers successfully initiate, coordinate, and deliver sustained assistance immediately after a disaster?MethodsThis retrospective, descriptive case study involved: (1) interviews with Nafeer members that participated in the disaster response to the Khartoum floods; (2) examination of documents generated during the event; and (3) subsequent benchmarking of their efforts with the Sphere Handbook. Members who agreed to participate were requested to provide all documents in their possession relating to Nafeer. The response by Nafeer was then benchmarked to the Sphere Handbook’s six core standards, as well as the 11 minimum standards in essential health services.ResultsA total of 11 individuals were interviewed (six from leadership and five from active members). Nafeer’s activities included: food provision; delivery of basic health care; environmental sanitation campaigns; efforts to raise awareness; and construction and strengthening of flood barricades. Its use of electronic platforms and social media to collect data and coordinate the organization’s response was effective. Nafeer adopted a flat-management structure, dividing itself into 14 committees. A Coordination Committee was in charge of liaising between all committees. The Health and Sanitation Committee supervised two health days which included mobile medical and dentistry clinics supported by a mobile laboratory and pharmacy. The Engineering Committee managed to construct and maintain flood barricades. Nafeer used crowd-sourcing to fund its activities, receiving donations locally and internationally using supporters outside Sudan. Nafeer completely fulfilled three of Sphere’s core standards and partially fulfilled the other three, but none of the essential health services standards were fulfilled. Even though the Sphere Handbook was chosen as the best available “gold standard” to benchmark Nafeer’s efforts, it showed significant limitations in effectively measuring this group.ConclusionIt appears that independent spontaneous volunteer initiatives, like Nafeer, potentially can improve community resilience and play a significant role in the humanitarian response. Such organizations should be the subject of increased research activity. Relevant bodies should consider issuing separate guidelines supporting spontaneous volunteer organizations.AlbahariA, SchultzCH. A qualitative analysis of the spontaneous volunteer response to the 2013 Sudan floods: changing the paradigm. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(3):240–248.

Author(s):  
Lucy Taylor ◽  
Cathy Creswell ◽  
Samantha Pearcey ◽  
Emma Brooks ◽  
Eleanor Leigh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is common. It usually starts in adolescence, and without treatment can disrupt key developmental milestones. Existing generic treatments are less effective for young people with SAD than with other anxiety disorders, but an adaptation of an effective adult therapy (CT-SAD-A) has shown promising results for adolescents. Aims: The aim of this study was to conduct a qualitative exploration to contribute towards the evaluation of CT-SAD-A for adoption into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Method: We used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to analyse the transcripts of interviews with a sample of six young people, six parents and seven clinicians who were learning the treatment. Results: Three cross-cutting themes were identified: (i) endorsing the treatment; (ii) finding therapy to be collaborative and active; challenging but helpful; and (iii) navigating change in a complex setting. Young people and parents found the treatment to be useful and acceptable, although simultaneously challenging. This was echoed by the clinicians, with particular reference to integrating CT-SAD-A within community CAMHS settings. Conclusions: The acceptability of the treatment with young people, their parents and clinicians suggests further work is warranted in order to support its development and implementation within CAMHS settings.


2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 561-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Suginaka ◽  
Ken Okamoto ◽  
Yohei Hirano ◽  
Yuichi Fukumoto ◽  
Miki Morikawa ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionThe catastrophic Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 created a crisis in a university-affiliated hospital by disrupting the water supply for 10 days. In response, this study was conducted to analyze water use and prioritize water consumption in each department of the hospital by applying a business impact analysis (BIA). Identifying the minimum amount of water necessary for continuing operations during a disaster was an additional goal.ProblemWater is essential for many hospital operations and disaster-ready policies must be in place for the safety and continued care of patients.MethodsA team of doctors, nurses, and office workers in the hospital devised a BIA questionnaire to examine all operations using water. The questionnaire included department name, operation name, suggested substitutes for water, and the estimated daily amount of water consumption. Operations were placed in one of three ranks (S, A, or B) depending on the impact on patients and the need for operational continuity. Recovery time objective (RTO), which is equivalent to the maximum tolerable period of disruption, was determined. Furthermore, the actual use of water and the efficiency of substitute methods, practiced during the water-disrupted periods, were verified in each operation.ResultsThere were 24 activities using water in eight departments, and the estimated water consumption in the hospital was 326 (SD = 17) m3per day: 64 (SD = 3) m3for S (20%), 167 (SD = 8) m3for A (51%), and 95 (SD = 5) m3for B operations (29%). During the disruption, the hospital had about 520 m3of available water. When the RTO was set to four days, the amount of water available would have been 130 m3per day. During the crisis, 81% of the substitute methods were used for the S and A operations.ConclusionThis is the first study to identify and prioritize hospital operations necessary for the efficient continuation of medical treatment during suspension of the water supply by applying a BIA. Understanding the priority of operations and the minimum daily water requirement for each operation is important for a hospital in the event of an unexpected adverse situation, such as a major disaster.SuginakaH,OkamotoK,HiranoY,FukumotoY,MorikawaM,OodeY,SumiY,InoueY,MatsudaS,TanakaH.Hospital disaster response using business impact analysis.Prehosp Disaster Med.2014;29(5):1-8.


Author(s):  
Rosalia Aparecida Moreira ◽  
Hugo Rodrigues Araujo

Em 1986, foi criado nos Estados Unidos a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, entidade sem fins lucrativos com a missão de contribuir para conservação do patrimônio ferroviário, transformando os ramais abandonados em trilhas ferroviárias destinadas, exclusivamente, para caminhantes, ciclistas e cavaleiros. Com essa perspectiva, há 15 anos iniciou-se uma mobilização comunitária para transformar o antigo Ramal Ferroviário Corinto-Diamantina, localizado no Vale do Jequitinhonha/MG, na primeira trilha ferroviária do Brasil, denominada Trilha Verde da Maria Fumaça - TVMF. Além da conservação dos bens ferroviários, a TVMF busca a dinamização da economia local através do Turismo de Base Comunitária. Este artigo corresponde a um estudo de caso da TVMF, de caráter exploratório-descritivo. A pesquisa envolveu revisão bibliográfica e entrevista do gestor da ONG Caminhos da Serra, utilizando questionário semiestruturado. A análise qualitativa dos dados permitiu obter resultados que proporcionam o entendimento sobre a TVMF, contribuem para a abertura da discussão sobre trilhas ferroviárias no Brasil e fornecem informações para subsidiar aplicações práticas em outras ferrovias que se encontram abandonadas. Trilha Verde da Maria Fumaça: railroad heritage and tourism in the Vale do Jequitinhonha (Brazil). In 1986, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was created in the United States, a nonprofit organization with a mission to contribute to conservation of the railway heritage, turning extensions abandoned on rails trails, designed exclusively for walkers, cyclists and riders. With this perspective, 15 years ago a community began a mobilization to transform the old Railway Corinto-Diamantina, located in Vale do Jequitinhonha / MG, into the first rail trails in Brazil, called Trilha Verde da Maria Fumaça - TVMF. In addition to the conservation of rail assets, TVMF seeks to stimulate the local economy through the Community Based Tourism. This article is an exploratory and descriptive case study of TVMF. The research involved literature review and interview questions for the manager of the NGO Caminhos da Serra, by using semi-structured questionnaire. Through qualitative analysis of data it was possible to get results that provide an understanding of the TVMF, contribute to opening the discussion about rails trails in Brazil, and provide information to support practical applications in other railways that are abandoned. KEYWORDS: Railway Tourism; Sustainable Tourism; Rails Trails.


Author(s):  
Gardenia AlSaffar

2030 vision for the kingdom seeks to promote Bahrain as a healthcare destination. New private hospitals have entered the health service industry. This leads competition to soar. Patient care has become a priority. The need to acquire accreditation for health services rendered by hospitals accentuates the importance of maintaining international standards in term of quality and cost. The purpose of the study is to reflect on the development of ethical resolutions, procedures, policies, and programs to enhance and to improve healthcare by National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA). The study employs qualitative analysis of literature in relation to the evolution of ethical programs for health professionals in general and for patients at hospitals in Bahrain.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-138
Author(s):  
Julio C. Jiménez Chávez ◽  
Esteban Viruet Sánchez ◽  
Fernando J. Rosario Maldonado ◽  
Axel J. Ramos Lucca ◽  
Barbara Barros Cartagena

ABSTRACTMeteorological and even human-made disasters are increasing every year in frequency and magnitude. The passage of a disaster affects a society without distinction, but groups with social vulnerability (low socioeconomic status, chronic medical, or psychological conditions, limited access to resources) face the most significant impact. As a result, psychological and behavioral symptoms (eg, depression and anxiety) can ensue, making the immediate response of mental health services crucial. Secondary data from a database of a temporary healthcare unit were analyzed. A total of 54 records were reviewed to collect information; univariate and bivariate analyses were done. The purpose of this article is to present our experience regarding the incorporation of a mental health services model, with its respective benefits and challenges, into a temporary healthcare unit, after Hurricane Maria in 2017.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 454-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori Uscher-Pines ◽  
Shira Fischer ◽  
Ramya Chari

AbstractTelehealth has great promise to improve and even revolutionize emergency response and recovery. Yet telehealth in general, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) telehealth in particular, are underutilized in disasters. Direct-to-consumer telehealth services allow patients to request virtual visits with health care providers, in real-time, via phone or video conferencing (online video or mobile phone applications). Although DTC services for routine primary care are growing rapidly, there is no published literature on the potential application of DTC telehealth to disaster response and recovery because these services are so new. This report presents several potential uses of DTC telehealth across multiple disaster phases (acute response, subacute response, and recovery) while noting the logistical, legal, and policy challenges that must be addressed to allow for expanded use.Uscher-PinesL, FischerS, ChariR. The promise of direct-to-consumer telehealth for disaster response and recovery. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(4):454–456.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s13-s13
Author(s):  
G.T. Hynes

The purpose of this presentation is to compare the lessons learned in acute nursing care in the post-disaster settings of Aceh Jaya, Indonesia (2004) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2010). The impact of such disasters disproportionally affects populations made vulnerable by poverty, marginalization, and structural violence. The recognition of these vulnerabilities heightens the role of the nurse as an advocate for the ill and injured. In addition, the lack of adequate human and material resources on all levels necessitates insisting on best practices for patient care despite the resource constraints. Consideration of best practices begins with rigorous personnel selection of nurses adequately trained in emergency/critical care, complex humanitarian emergencies, and disaster response. A proficient level of resource-specific triage knowledge is required to adequately provide the most effective care to patients. Not infrequently, disaster nursing care involves being tasked with a clinical skill or procedures that would be outside the scope of practice in the home country. While the expansion to such practices often is justified by need, an ethical framework demands consideration of the central tenet of “first do no harm”. A heavy burden of coordination among other caregivers, family, and the local staff is required by nurses in this environment. The substantial challenges include communication and continuity of care during the initial response phase among multiple partners with varied backgrounds and goals. Drawing from experiences in Haiti and Aceh, this presentation seeks to define the best practices in disaster nursing care and explore the ethical considerations that arise in such challenging environments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Moran ◽  
Helen Haines ◽  
Nicole Raschke ◽  
David Schmidt ◽  
Alison Koschel ◽  
...  

Research capacity building in healthcare works to generate and apply new knowledge to improve health outcomes; it creates new career pathways, improves staff satisfaction, retention and organisational performance. While there are examples of investment and research activity in rural Australia, overall, rural research remains under-reported, undervalued and under-represented in the evidence base. This is particularly so in primary care settings. This lack of contextual knowledge generation and translation perpetuates rural–metropolitan health outcome disparities. Through greater attention to and investment in building research capacity and capability in our regional, rural and remote health services, these issues may be partially addressed. It is proposed that it is time for Australia to systematically invest in rurally focussed, sustainable, embedded research capacity building.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-155
Author(s):  
Timotius Kartawijaya ◽  
Edwin Townsend ◽  
Kevin Tully ◽  
Paul Isihara ◽  
Danilo R. Diedrichs ◽  
...  

With increased development of unmanned aerial vehicle technology and its application during humanitarian response to emergencies, the issue of smart navigation as a better alternative to manual operators is becoming increasingly significant. In response to a SmartAmerica initiative to design life-saving cyber-physical systems, a prototype Smart Emergency Response System (SERS) was developed in 2013–2014 to coordinate futuristic disaster response by cyber agents including ground and aerial telerobots and biobots. A more immediate application of the SERS system is simulation of quadcopter response to 911 police and fire requests. Tailoring parameters to specific locations, simulations inform decisions about effective quadcopter fleet size and quantify improved operator cost efficiency of a smart-navigated response.


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