Characterizing the Current State of Training Courses Available to US Disaster Professionals

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 920-926
Author(s):  
Thomas Kirsch ◽  
Mark Keim ◽  
Kandra Strauss-Riggs
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Target Audience ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Disaster Training ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACTObjective:The objective of this study is to characterize US-based disaster training courses available to disaster response and disaster health professionals. Its purpose is to better inform policies and decision-making regarding workforce and professional development to improve performance.Methods:Courses were identified from 4 inventories of courses: (1) National Library of Medicine Disaster Lit database; (2) TRAIN National Learning Network; (3) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Preparedness Course Catalog; and (4) Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers. An online search used 30 disaster-related key words. Data included the course title, description, target audience, and delivery modality. Levels of learning, target capability, and function were categorized by 3 expert reviewers. Descriptive statistics were used.Results:There were 3662 trainings: 2380 (65%) for professionals (53% for public health); 83% of the courses were distance learning, with 16% via classroom. Half of all trainings focused on 3 of 37 disaster capabilities and 38% of them were related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE). The educational approach was knowledge-based for all courses and 99.6% imparted only lower levels of learning.Conclusion:Despite thousands of courses available, there remain significant gaps in target audience, subject matter content, educational approaches, and delivery modalities, particularly for health and public health professionals.

Learning Outcome Measurement in Nurse Participants After Disaster Training

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 728-733
Author(s):  
Sharon L. Farra ◽  
Sherrill Smith ◽  
Marie A Bashaw
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Homeland Security ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Learning Framework ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Disaster Training ◽  
National Disaster

AbstractObjectiveThe National Disaster Health Consortium is an interprofessional disaster training program. Using the Hierarchical Learning Framework of Competency Sets in Disaster Medicine and Public Health, this program educates nurses and other professionals to provide competent care and leadership within the interprofessional team. This study examined outcomes of this training.MethodsTraining consisted of a combination of online and on-site training. Learning outcomes were measured by using the Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) pre/post training and participant performance during live functional exercises with the use of rubrics based on Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation principles.ResultsA total of 64 participants completed the EPIQ before and after training. The mean EPIQ pre-training score of 154 and mean post-training score of 81 (reverse-scored) was found to be statistically significant by paired t-test (P<0.001). Performance was evaluated in the areas of triage, re-triage, surge response, and sheltering. Greater than 90% of the exercise criteria were either met or partially met. Participants successfully achieved overall objectives in all scenarios.ConclusionsDisaster response requires nurses and other providers to function in interprofessional teams. Educational projects, like the National Disaster Health Consortium program, offer the potential to address the need for a standardized, interprofessional disaster training curriculum to promote positive outcomes. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;page 1 of 6)

Developing a Knowledge-Based System for Diagnosis and Treatment of Malaria

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (04) ◽  
pp. 1650036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chala Diriba ◽  
Million Meshesha ◽  
Debela Tesfaye
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Prototype System ◽  
Domain Experts ◽  
Knowledge Based System ◽  
Knowledge Based

Malaria is a serious and fatal disease caused by a parasite that can infect a certain type of mosquito which feeds on human blood. It is a public health problem in Ethiopia and a major cause of illness and death. More than 75% of the total land of Ethiopia is malarious affecting more than 68% of the population, making malaria the leading public health problem in Ethiopia. In an effort to address such problems, it is important to develop knowledge-based system (KBS) that can provide advice for health professionals and patients to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of malaria patients. Experimental research design was used to developed prototype system. Purposive sampling technique was used to select domain experts for knowledge acquisition. The domain experts are selected from Jimma special hospital, Adama hospital and Agaro health centre. The knowledge was acquired using both structured and unstructured interviews from domain experts and represented by production rule, (if- then method). The user's acceptance of the prototype system by visual interaction method that by showing the prototype system to the domain experts was conducted result is 83.21%. In addition, performance of the prototype system was evaluated using case testing method and produce result of 82.3%. It is promising to save the life of people in rural area where there is scarcity of health professionals and apparatus. In addition, it is possible to reduce time and cost of diagnosis and treatment in health centre by implementing intelligent systems. Developing in local languages, good interface programming language and in other techniques are the future works of the study.

scholarly journals La Traducción Funcionalista en los Servicios Públicos: Un Caso de Materiales de Apoyo del Ámbito Sanitario para la Población Inmigrante

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 81-93
Author(s):  
Maneerat Marnpae
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Target Audience ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Communicative Intention ◽  
Health Advice ◽  
And Function

Resumen: La traducción es una de las formas más destacadas utilizadas para superar las barreras lingüísticas y culturales entre los profesionales sanitarios y la población inmigrante. Para cumplir los propósitos comunicativos en la traducción dirigida a otro receptor meta, parece imposible no enfrentarse a problemas de traducción. En consecuencia, podemos anticipar que es relevante la incorporación de las pautas ofrecidas de los enfoques funcionalistas en los Estudios de Traducción para la producción de textos metas efectivos como los que se utilizan en los servicios públicos, donde el enfoque está (o debería estar) en el receptor y en la cultura meta. En las páginas que siguen esta hipótesis será comprobada a través del análisis de materiales de apoyo relativos a la salud pública y a la orientación sociosanitaria en español para el público tailandés. En este proceso se describen problemas de traducción que pueden afectar al producto textual, así como posibles soluciones con vistas a cumplir la intención y función comunicativas pretendidas. El estudio nos lleva a la conclusión de la necesidad de incorporar el funcionalismo, la comunicación intercultural y la intervención del traductor en esta actividad traductora.Abstract: Translation is one of the most outstanding methods used to overcome language and cultural barriers. To fulfill the communicative purposes of translation which aim at another target audience, it seems impossible not to deal with translation problems. Consequently, I anticipate that incorporating the functionalist approaches in Translation Studies is relevant to produce effective target texts as those utilized in public services, where the focus is (or should be) on the target receiver and culture. In the following pages this hypothesis will be tested through an analysis of Spanish public health and social-health advice materials for Thai user. In this process, I will describe translation problems that affect the translated text, and suggest possible solutions in order to achieve the intended communicative intention and function. The study leads to the conclusion that we need to include functionalism, intercultural communication as well as translator’s intervention in this translation activity. 

Being Both Helpers and Victims: Health Professionals’ Experiences of Working During a Natural Disaster

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Hugelius ◽  
Annsofie Adolfsson ◽  
Per Örtenwall ◽  
Mervyn Gifford
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Response System ◽  
Stress Coping Strategies ◽  
Disaster Training

AbstractBackgroundIn November 2013, the Haiyan typhoon hit parts of the Philippines. The typhoon caused severe damage to the medical facilities and many injuries and deaths. Health professionals have a crucial role in the immediate disaster response system, but knowledge of their experiences of working during and in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster is limited.AimThe aim of this study was to explore health professionals’ experiences of working during and in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.MethodEight health professionals were interviewed five months after the disaster. The interviews were analyzed using phenomenological hermeneutic methods.ResultsThe main theme, being professional and survivor, described both positive and negative emotions and experiences from being both a helper, as part of the responding organization, and a victim, as part of the surviving but severely affected community. Sub-themes described feelings of strength and confidence, feelings of adjustment and acceptance, feelings of satisfaction, feelings of powerless and fear, feelings of guilt and shame, and feelings of loneliness.ConclusionBeing a health professional during a natural disaster was a multi-faceted, powerful, and ambiguous experience of being part of the response system at the same time as being a survivor of the disaster. Personal values and altruistic motives as well as social aspects and stress-coping strategies to reach a balance between acceptance and control were important elements of the experience. Based on these findings, implications for disaster training and response strategies are suggested.HugeliusK, AdolfssonA, ÖrtenwallP, GiffordM. Being both helpers and victims: health professionals’ experiences of working during a natural disaster. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(2):117–123.

Oral health diseases among the older people: a general health perspective

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
General Health ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Oral Diseases ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The relationship between oral health and general health is gaining interest in geriatric research; however, a lack of studies dealing with this issue from a general perspective makes it somewhat inaccessible to non-clinical public health professionals. Purpose: The purpose of this review is to describe the relationship between oral health and general health of the elderly on the basis of literature review, and to give non-clinical medical professionals and public health professionals an overview of this discipline. Methods: This study was based on an in-depth review of the literature pertaining to the relationship between oral health and general health among the older people. The tools commonly used to evaluate dental health and the academic researches of male elderly people were also reviewed. And future research directions were summarized. Results: Dental caries, periodontal disease, edentulism, and xerostomia are common oral diseases among the older people. Dental caries and periodontal diseases are the leading causes of missing teeth and edentulism. Xerostomia, similar to dry mouth, is another common oral health disease in the older people. No clear correlation exists between the subjective feeling of dryness and an objective decrease of saliva. Rather, both conditions can be explained by changes in saliva. The General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) are the main assessment tools used to examine oral health and quality of life in the older people. The GOHAI tends to be more sensitive to objective values pertaining to oral function. In addition, oral health studies in male elderly people are population-based cohort or cross-sectional studies, involving masticatory function, oral prevention, frailty problems, cardiovascular disease risk, and cognitive status. Conclusion: It is possible to reduce the incidence of certain oral diseases, even among individuals who take oral health care seriously. Oral health care should be based on the viewpoint of comprehensive treatment, including adequate nutrition, good life and psychology, and correct oral health care methods. In the future, researchers could combine the results of meta-analysis with the clinical experience of doctors to provide a more in-depth and broader discussion on oral health research topics concerning the older people.

Molecular characterization of SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miribane Dërmaku-Sopjani ◽  
Mentor Sopjani
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Virus Genome ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Therapeutic Drugs ◽  
New Public Health ◽  
New Public ◽  
And Function

Abstract:: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a new public health crisis threatening the world. This pandemic disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus has been reported to be originated in bats and by yet unknown intermediary animals were transmitted to humans in China 2019. The SARSCoV- 2 spreads faster than its two ancestors the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERSCoV) but has reduced fatality. At present, the SARS-CoV-2 has caused about a 1.16 million of deaths with more than 43.4 million confirmed cases worldwide, resulting in a serious threat to public health globally with yet uncertain impact. The disease is transmitted by inhalation or direct contact with an infected person. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 14 days. COVID-19 is accompanied by various symptoms, including cough, fatigue. In most people the disease is mild, but in some other people, such as in elderly and people with chronic diseases, it may progress from pneumonia to a multi-organ dysfunction. Many people are reported asymptomatic. The virus genome is sequenced, but new variants are reported. Numerous biochemical aspects of its structure and function are revealed. To date, no clinically approved vaccines and/or specific therapeutic drugs are available to prevent or treat the COVID-19. However, there are reported intensive researches on the SARSCoV- 2 to potentially identify vaccines and/or drug targets, which may help to overcome the disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular structure of SARS-CoV-2 and its biochemical characteristics.

Instagramming our way through public health communication: why and who is using it?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Vareda ◽  
T Garcia ◽  
J Rachadell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases

Abstract Background From disease prevention to health promotion, communication is key for Public Health (PH) practice and, according to the 9th Essential Public Health Operation its goal is to improve populations health literacy and capacity to access, understand and use information. Though social media is frequently presented as a potentially useful tool for PH communication, there is a lack of evidence about its effectiveness and impact on PH outcomes. This study researches Instagram® as a PH tool and aims to know who is using it, what content is shared on the platform and how much engagement there is. Methods This cross-sectional study regards information on 1000 Instagram® posts with the hashtags publichealth, publichealthpromotion, healthpromotion, publichealthmatters and publichealtheducation. Authors categorized post content and creators, and reviewed the number of likes and comments per post to determine engagement. Data analysis was performed on IBM SPSS® Statistics. Results The most common content categories were communicable diseases (n = 383), non-communicable diseases (n = 258) and healthy lifestyles (n = 143). Health professionals post more about communicable diseases (43,6%) and non-professionals about healthy lifestyles (36,1%). Non-professionals (n = 191) post about PH issues almost as much as health professionals (n = 220) and PH associations (n = 201). Most don't reference their sources (n = 821). Posts on communicable diseases have the most likes and comments per post (mean of 172 likes and 3,1 comments). Conclusions Half the Instagram® posts analysed in this study were made by health professionals or organizations. Communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and healthy lifestyles were the most frequent content categories and had the most engagement. The majority of posts didn't reference their sources. Though Instagram® seems to be a potential PH communication tool, further research is needed to confirm its benefits for PH. Key messages Social media platforms like Instagram® are potentially powerful tools for PH communication. There is a need to understand the efficacy of social media as health promotion tools.

Men's perception and understanding of male-factor infertility in the UK

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. S8-S16
Author(s):  
Eleanor L Stevenson ◽  
Cheng Ching-Yu ◽  
Chang Chia-Hao ◽  
Kevin R McEleny
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Public Knowledge ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Male Factor Infertility ◽  
Male Factor ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Uk

Male-factor infertility is a common but stigmatised issue, and men often do not receive the emotional support and the information they need. This study sought to understand awareness of male fertility issues compared to female fertility among the UK general male public, and also what were perceived as being the optimum methods for providing support for affected men, emotionally and through information. Men feel that male infertility is not discussed by the public as much as female infertility. Lifestyle issues that affect male fertility are not well understood, and men affected by infertility desire more support, including online, from health professionals and through peer support. Health professionals, including those in public health, could offer evidence-based programmes to reduce stigma and increase public knowledge about infertility, as well as offer emotional support to men with infertility problems.

scholarly journals Interprofessional collaboration among health professionals in cleft lip and palate treatment and care in the public health sector of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phumzile Hlongwa ◽  
Laetitia C. Rispel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cleft Lip ◽  
Cleft Lip And Palate ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Collaborative Leadership ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Group Function ◽  
Public Health Sector ◽  
Effective Group

Abstract Background Collaboration among different categories of health professionals is essential for quality patient care, especially for individuals with cleft lip and palate (CLP). This study examined interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among health professionals in all CLP specialised centres in South Africa’s public health sector. Methods During 2017, a survey was conducted among health professionals at all the specialised CLP centres in South Africa’s public health sector. Following informed consent, each member of the CLP team completed a self-administered questionnaire on IPC, using the Interprofessional Competency Framework Self-Assessment Tool. The IPC questionnaire consists of seven domains with 51 items: care expertise (8 items); shared power (4 items); collaborative leadership (10 items); shared decision-making (2 items); optimising professional role and scope (10 items); effective group function (9 items); and competent communication (8 items). STATA®13 was used to analyse the data. Descriptive analysis of participants and overall mean scores were computed for each domain and analysed using ANOVA. All statistical tests were conducted at 5% significance level. Results We obtained an 87% response rate, and 52 participants completed the questionnaire. The majority of participants were female 52% (n = 27); with a mean age of 41.9 years (range 22–72). Plastic surgeons accounted for 38.5% of all study participants, followed by speech therapists (23.1%), and professional nurses (9.6%). The lowest mean score of 2.55 was obtained for effective group function (SD + -0.50), and the highest mean score of 2.92 for care expertise (SD + -0.37). Explanatory factor analysis showed that gender did not influence IPC, but category of health professional predicted scores on the five categories of shared power (p = 0.01), collaborative leadership (p = 0.04), optimising professional role and scope (p = 0.03), effective group function (p = 0.01) and effective communication (p = 0.04). Conclusion The seven IPC categories could be used as a guide to develop specific strategies to enhance IPC among CLP teams. Institutional support and leadership combined with patient-centred, continuing professional development in multi-disciplinary meetings will also enrich IPC.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document