scholarly journals Doctor safety in Australian after-hours house-call medical services: the use of chaperones and chauffeurs

Author(s):  
Chris Onyebuchi Ifediora

Objectives: The use of escorts (chauffeurs and chaperones) while on duty in after-hours-house-call (AHHC) is one key protective option available to doctors in the service and has been linked to low burnout and increased satisfaction in AHHC. This study aims to explore the patterns of engagement of escorts in Australian AHHC. Method: A questionnaire-based, electronic survey of all 300 doctors involved in AHHC through the National Home Doctor Service (NHDS), Australia’s largest providers of the service. Results: A total of 168 valid responses (56.0%) were received. 60.8% of the doctors engaged escorts. Of the doctors that engage chauffeurs, three-quarters do so “all or most times”, while only one-quarter engage chaperones to the same degree of frequency. Hiring escorts is very popular among Brisbane (91.7%) and Sydney-based (88.2%) practitioners, but is unpopular in the City of Gold Coast (26.1%). There were moderate patronages in Adelaide (52.9%) and Melbourne (46.4%). Compared to females, males were more likely to drive themselves (OR 5.34; P=0.001; CI 2.08 to 13.74) and less likely to use chauffeurs (OR 0.19; p<0.001; CI 0.07 to 0.51). Doctors in legally recognized social unions (OR 0.24; p=0.03; CI 0.07 to 0.83) and those that have attained the postgraduate fellowships (OR 0.43; p=0.02; CI 0.21 to 0.87) were both less likely to work without escorts. Conclusion: More needs to be done to increase the engagement of escorts by doctors involved in the Australian AHHC, particularly given their proven benefits in the service. Future studies may be needed to fully explore the real reasons behind the significant associations identified in this study.

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Onyebuchi Ifediora

Objectives: The use of escorts (chauffeurs and chaperones) while on duty in after-hours-house-call (AHHC) is one key protective option available to doctors in the service and has been linked to low burnout and increased satisfaction in AHHC. This study aims to explore the patterns of engagement of escorts in Australian AHHC. Method: A questionnaire-based, electronic survey of all 300 doctors involved in AHHC through the National Home Doctor Service (NHDS), Australia’s largest providers of the service. Results: A total of 168 valid responses (56.0%) were received. 60.8% of the doctors engaged escorts. Of the doctors that engage chauffeurs, three-quarters do so “all or most times”, while only one-quarter engage chaperones to the same degree of frequency. Hiring escorts is very popular among Brisbane (91.7%) and Sydney-based (88.2%) practitioners, but is unpopular in the City of Gold Coast (26.1%). There were moderate patronages in Adelaide (52.9%) and Melbourne (46.4%). Compared to females, males were more likely to drive themselves (OR 5.34; P=0.001; CI 2.08 to 13.74) and less likely to use chauffeurs (OR 0.19; p<0.001; CI 0.07 to 0.51). Doctors in legally recognized social unions (OR 0.24; p=0.03; CI 0.07 to 0.83) and those that have attained the postgraduate fellowships (OR 0.43; p=0.02; CI 0.21 to 0.87) were both less likely to work without escorts. Conclusion: More needs to be done to increase the engagement of escorts by doctors involved in the Australian AHHC, particularly given their proven benefits in the service. Future studies may be needed to fully explore the real reasons behind the significant associations identified in this study.


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3218
Author(s):  
Chris Onyebuchi Ifediora

Objectives The use of escorts (chauffeurs and chaperones) while on duty in after-hours-house-call (AHHC) is one key protective option available to doctors in the service, and has been linked to low burnout and increased satisfaction in AHHC. This study aims to explore the patterns of engagement of escorts in Australian AHHC. Method This is a questionnaire-based, electronic survey of all 300 doctors involved in AHHC through the National Home Doctor Service (NHDS), Australia’s largest providers of the service. The survey explored the doctor’s experiences over the 12-month period from October 2013 to September 2014. Results This survey received a total of 168 valid responses, giving a response rate of 56%. Nearly 61% of the doctors involved in AHHC engaged escorts (chauffeurs and chaperones). Of those doctors that engage chauffeurs, three-quarters do so “all or most times”, while only one-quarter engaged chaperones to the same degree of frequency. Hiring escorts is very popular among Brisbane (91.7%) and Sydney-based (88.2%) practitioners, but is unpopular in the City of Gold Coast (26.1%). There were moderate patronages in Adelaide (52.9%) and Melbourne Area (46.4%). Compared to males, females were less likely to drive themselves without escorts (OR 0.20; P < 0.01; CI [0.07–0.57]), but more likely to engage chauffeurs (OR 5.87; P = 0.03; CI [1.16–29.77]). Practitioners who were apprehensive were three times more likely to either engage escorts as chauffeurs (OR 3.10; P = 0.04; CI [1.05–9.15]) or as an accompanying chaperone if they self-drive (OR 3.03; P = 0.02; CI [1.16–7.89]). Conclusion More needs to be done to increase the engagement of escorts by doctors involved in the Australian AHHC, particularly given their proven benefits in the service. Future studies may be needed to fully explore the real reasons behind the significant associations identified in this study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Paulo da Silva ◽  
José da Costa Marques Neto

Abstract: With an accelerated economic and social development, the growing generation of solid waste produced by society, whether domestic, urban, hospital, industrial or construction, is highlighted. To do so, it is highlighted what to do and how to manage this problem, in order to reduce environmental impacts and take advantage of such waste. In this context, the present study aims to determine the composition of waste in the city of Ribeirão Preto-SP, through a quantitative and qualitative research, seeking to present the percentage composition of each material found in the city's buckets, through collection and weighing. With this, analyzing the composition of the buckets, the unit mass of 0.79 t / m3 was determined. The work also pointed out the main areas of clandestine discards in the city of Ribeirão Preto and organized in the form of an inventory. Therefore, the work seeks to identify the composition of construction waste and provide information and values to support future studies.


Author(s):  
Luanda Maria Sousa da Silva ◽  
Nataely Pereira da Silva ◽  
Tássia Dos Anjos Tenório de Melo ◽  
Katharine Taveira de Brito Medeiros

In recent years the reservoirs of several northeastern states have collapsed, resulting in water rationing and even the state of emergency decree. Even so, some buildings which have already been consolidated in the urban area do not use any form of rainwater for storage or subsequent reuse. Thus, this study proposes the use of alternative techniques for the storage and reuse of water in a building which has already been consolidated in the urban area of semi-arid regions, based upon the perception that certain functions of the compensatory techniques can be applied to areas with high rainfall indices, as well as opposite zones. In order to do so, we carried out a study on the natural aspects of the city and identified sites that enabled the installation of alternative techniques selected by TecAlt 1.0 software, a program used to assist decision making in storm water management. Regarding suggestions for implantation techniques,The results were positive, even for the semiarid conditions, which is the case of the study place . Researchers may carry out future studies on the topic with the purpose of assessing and budgeting the suggested techniques.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryota INOKUCHI ◽  
Kojiro MORITA ◽  
Xueying JIN ◽  
Masatoshi ISHIKAWA ◽  
Nanako TAMIYA

Abstract Background: To reduce the burden caused by emergency department (ED) visits and ambulance use, after-hours house call (AHHC) medical services have been implemented. Examining the pre-and post-home visit behaviors of those who use AHHC medical services, stratified by age and illness severity, may help determine the populations these services should target effectively to reduce ED visits and ambulance use.Methods: This questionnaire-based study used data from anonymized medical records and internet-based questionnaires completed by patients who used AHHC medical services in Tokyo, Japan, between January 1 and December 31, 2019. The questionnaire consisted of two questions: what action would the patient have taken in the absence of AHHC services, and what action was taken within three days following the use of the AHHC services.Results: Of the 15,787 patients who used AHHC medical services during the study period, 2,128 completed the questionnaire (13.5% response rate). Individuals aged <15 years and 16–64 years were the most common users of AHHC services (≤15 years, 71.4%; 16–64 years, 26.8%). Before using the AHHC service, the majority of patients in each patient age group would have visited the ED if the AHHC service had not been available (≤15 years, 47.8%; 16–64 years, 42.8%; ≥65 years, 43.6%), and the proportion of patients originally planning to call an ambulance was higher among those in higher age groups (≤15 years, 1.1%; 16–64 years, 6.0%; ≥65 years, 20.5%). After using AHHC services, the majority of patients (68.1%) did not visit a hospital within three days, but the proportion of patients who visited an ED and called an ambulance within that time increased as their illness severity increased.Conclusions: Increasing AHHC medical services awareness among older adults and encouraging repeated use of AHHC services for patients with severe illnesses may help reduce ED visits and ambulance use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryota Inokuchi ◽  
Kojiro Morita ◽  
Xueying Jin ◽  
Masatoshi Ishikawa ◽  
Nanako Tamiya

Abstract Background After-hours house call (AHHC) medical services have been implemented in Japan to reduce ambulance use, as well as overcrowding at the emergency department (ED). Examining the pre-and post-home visit behaviors of those using AHHC medical services will provide insights into the usefulness of these services and help develop strategies to reduce ED visits and ambulance use further. Methods This questionnaire-based study used data from anonymized medical records and internet-based questionnaires completed by patients who used AHHC medical services in Tokyo, Japan, between January 1 and December 31, 2019. The questionnaire comprised two questions: (1) What action would the patient have taken in the absence of AHHC services and (2) what action was taken within 3 days following the use of the AHHC services. In addition, following home consultations, AHHC doctors classified the patient’s illness severity as mild (treatable with over-the-counter medications), moderate (requires hospital or clinic visit), or severe (requires ambulance transportation). Results Of the 15,787 patients who used AHHC medical services during the study period, 2128 completed the questionnaire (13.5% response rate). Individuals aged ≤15 years and 16–64 years were the most common users of AHHC services (≤15 years, 71.4%; 16–64 years, 26.8%). Before using the AHHC service, 46.4% of the total respondents reported that they would have visited an ED had AHHC services not been available (≤15 years, 47.8%; 16–64 years, 42.8%; ≥65 years, 43.6%). The proportion of patients originally planning to call an ambulance was higher among those in the older age groups (≤15 years, 1.1%; 16–64 years, 6.0%; ≥65 years, 20.5%). After using the AHHC services, most patients (68.1%) did not visit a hospital within 3 days; however, the proportion of patients who visited an ED and called an ambulance within 3 days increased with the severity of illness. Conclusions Increasing AHHC medical services awareness among older adults and patients assessed as having severe illnesses regularly availing of AHHC services may help reduce ED visits and ambulance use.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Jenny Paola Cervera Quintero

Esta investigación muestra las características y estrategias socioeconómicas identificadas en un grupo de famiempresas de confección en Ciudad Bolívar, localidad de Bogotá, con las cuales logran la permanencia de sus negocios y así la reproducción de la vida y la subsistencia de sus familias. Este primer elemento se contrasta con las políticas de consecución de ingresos desarrolladas por los gobiernos distritales en el período 2000-2013, con el fin de encontrar los elementos comunes y el real aporte con el que las políticas sociales y económicas del Distrito benefician la economía popular de la ciudad, teniendo como referencia el grupo de famiempresas con el que se trabajó. Después de obtener un paralelo entre las políticas socioeconómicas del Distrito y las necesidades reales de las famiempresas, se desarrolla un ejercicio práctico aplicando la metodología de Vester como base para la formulación de recomendaciones dirigidas hacia los gobiernos distritales, en las que se manifiestan las prioridades que esta población objetivo espera de la acción institucional para mejorar el desempeño de sus famiempresas y, por ende, el de su consecución de ingresos para mejor su calidad de vida y la de sus familias.ABSTRACTThis research examines the socio-economic characteristics and strategies pertaining to a group of family business in the apparel sector in Ciudad Bolivar (Bogota), which ensures some stability in the business itself and in their families´ livelihood. This first element is contrasted with the policies of resource allocation pursued by Bogota local administrations in the period 2000-2013, in order to identify the real governmental contributions to thelocal economy. Next, a practical exercise is conducted by applying the methodology of Vester as a basis for the formulation of recommendations addressed to the city government; those recommendations depict the priorities that the targeted population expects from the institutional action to improve the performance of their business and to enhance their income to better their quality of life and that of their families. Fecha de recepción: 23 agosto 2016Fecha de aprobación: 15 noviembre de 2016Fecha de publicación: 6 de enero de 2017


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Soward ◽  
Jianling Li

AbstractMost cities in the United States rely on zoning to address important planning-related issues within their jurisdictions. Planners often use GIS tools to analyze these issues in a spatial context. ESRI’s ArcGIS Urban software seeks to provide the planning profession with a GIS-based solution for various challenges, including zoning’s impacts on the built environment and housing capacity.This research explores the use of ArcGIS Urban for assessing the existing zoning and comprehensive plans in meeting the projected residential growth in the near future using the City of Arlington, Texas as a case study. The exploration provides examples and lessons for how ArcGIS Urban might be used by planners to accomplish their tasks and highlights the capabilities and limitations of ArcGIS Urban in its current stand. The paper is concluded with some suggestions for future studies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Gina M. Buckley ◽  
Rebecca Storey ◽  
Fred J. Longstaffe ◽  
David M. Carballo ◽  
Kenneth G. Hirth ◽  
...  

The city of Teotihuacan (AD 1–550) was a major multiethnic urban center that attracted migrants from as far away as west Mexico and the Maya region. Past research in the Tlajinga district at Teotihuacan using oxygen isotopes from human remains estimated that nearly 30% of the population of Tlajinga 33, a single apartment compound, were migrants. This study takes a dual-isotope approach (87Sr/86Sr and δ18O p ) to reevaluate the proportion of in-migration at Tlajinga and includes data from two additional apartment compounds, Tlajinga 17 and 18 (n = 23). New results indicate that migrants comprised ~45% of the Tlajinga population. Previously acquired radiocarbon dates combined with mortuary and isotope data suggest that immigration to Tlajinga was highest during the first centuries of compound occupation. Nevertheless, migration was a continual process throughout its history. Additionally, a new finding suggests that residents of Tlajinga 33 ingested foods with higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios than did those of Tlajinga 17 and 18. We hypothesize that the incorporation of imported lime for the nixtamalization process skewed the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of human remains, a potentially important finding for future studies at Teotihuacan.


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