Prehospital major incident management: how do training and real-life situations relate? A qualitative study

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between preparations and real-life experiences among prehospital major incident commanders.DesignAn explorative, qualitative design was used.SettingPrehospital major incidents in Sweden. Data were collected between December 2019 and August 2020.ParticipantsPrehospital major incident commanders (n=15) with real-life experiences from major events, such as fires, bus accidents, a bridge collapse and terrorist attacks, were included. All but one had participated in 2-day training focusing on the prehospital management of major incidents. In addition, about half of the participants had participated in simulation exercises, academic courses and other training in the management of major incidents.MethodsData from two-session individual interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThe conformity between real-life major incidents and preparations was good regarding prehospital major incident commanders’ knowledge of the operational procedures applied in major incidents. However, the preparations did not allow for the complexities and endurance strategies required in real-life incidents. Personal preparations, such as mental preparedness or stress management, were not sufficiently covered in the preparations. To some extent, professional experience (such as training) could compensate for the lack of formal preparations.ConclusionsThis study identified perceived gaps between preparations and real-life experiences of being a prehospital major incident commander. To minimise the gaps between demands and expectations on perceived control and to better prepare individuals for being prehospital major incident commanders, the training and other preparations should reflect complexities of real-life incidents. Preparations should develop both technical skills required, such as principles and methodology used, and personal preparedness. Personal preparations should include improving one’s mental preparedness, self-knowledge and professional self-confidence required to successfully act as a prehospital incident commander. Since little is known about what pedagogical methods that should be used to enhance this, further research is needed.

Decision-making by medical officer in charge during major incidents: a qualitative study

Background An incident command structure is commonly used to manage responses to major incidents. In the hospital incident command structure, the medical officer in charge (MOC) is in a key position. The decision-making process is essential to effective management, but little is known about which factors influence the process. Therefore, the current study aimed to describe factors influencing decision-making of MOCs. Methods A conventional content analysis was conducted based on 16 individual interviews with medical doctors who had been deployed as MOCs at Swedish hospitals during major incidents. Results The results showed that the decision-making and re-evaluation process was a comprehensive analysis influenced by three categories of factors: event factors, including consequences from the type of event, levels of uncertainty and the circumstances; organizational factors, including the doctor’s role, information management and the response to the event; and personal factors, such as competence, personality and mental preparedness. Conclusions Reliable and timely information management structure enabling the gathering and analysis of essential information, a clear command structure and appropriate personal qualities were essential and contributed to successful MOCs decision making in major incidents.

Psychological Perceptions and Preparedness during Novel Coronavirus Disease - 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic - A Multinational Cross-sectional Study among Healthcare Professionals

Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused serious repercussions both physically and mentally. The crisis has laid an enormous workload on the global healthcare fraternity. This article has attempted to study the emotional and psychological status of the medical and dental fraternity across seven Asian countries (India, Malaysia, the Gulf Cooperation countries (GCC) and, others) and also deduce the degree of mental preparedness as they spearhead the war against COVID-19. A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was carried out among potential participants from online forums and other health-related social communities. Bivariate analysis with descriptive statistics was applied to decipher the results. A total of 788 complete responses were analyzed. The response rate was 77.1%. Results revealed the perception of the Healthcare Professionals about COVID-19 and its implications in their personal and professional lives. Many categories from psychological and emotional standpoints were analyzed. Older HCPs (above 35 years) reported high levels of stress at the workplace (p = 0.002). About 43.5% of the HCPs from India reported that they have not received any specialized training on containing COVID-19 or any contagious disease. Intense emotional stress was reported by the HCPs when colleagues get infected. The medical professionals (61.7%) exhibited more work stress compared to their dental counterparts. Analyzing the psychological and emotional status of HCPs is imperative especially in this COVID-19 situation. Similar analyses are crucial to gauge the quality of our healthcare system and take necessary actions like training the workforce, revamping the infrastructure, and regulating the workflow.

Transition into the sexual and reproductive role: a qualitative exploration of Iranian married adolescent girls’ needs and experiences

Background It is necessary to invest in married adolescent girls’ health because of their roles in promoting the community and health of the next generation. Meanwhile, there are many concerns about their sexual and reproductive health. The International Conference on Population and Development emphasized the importance of access to adolescent girls to reproductive health services and counseling. In Iran, about 24% of registered marriages are to girls under 19, while their sexual and reproductive health needs have neglected. Therefore, this study aimed to identify married adolescent girls’ reproductive and sexual needs. Methods/design Data were obtained through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews with 36 participants, including 11 women who got married at 10 to 21 years of age, two mothers whose daughters were married in adolescence, and 23 healthcare providers and policymakers. The participants were selected through purposive sampling with maximum variation. Data collection continued until data saturation. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Similar codes were merged, and sub-categorization was performed, whereby similar categories were combined until the main categories that emerged. Results The results revealed five main categories: preparing for marriage, enhancing awareness and decision—making power on sexual and reproductive health issues, developing adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive services, providing tailored pregnancy and childbirth services, and preparing adolescents for motherhood. Conclusion Adolescents step into marital life without the required life skills or physical and mental preparedness. They often become pregnant due to social pressures and lack of access to contraception. Therefore, in countries like Iran, where there is a high frequency of early marriage, families, education, and the health system should prepare the necessary foundation to support these adolescents and provide tailored and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services.

Determining the influence of interactive games on some mental qualities in 9-10-year-old students

The effectiveness of mental training depends largely on the conviction and active participation of both parties – student and educator. Hence the need to form a positive attitude towards mental training in general. For this purpose it is necessary for the pedagogue to have appropriate mental literacy and readiness to apply the various means and methods of mental preparation. The aim of the study is to identify and compare the changes that occurred in the mental preparedness of 9-10-year-old students from Gorna Oryahovitsa and Veliko Tarnovo after applying two different game models in physical education and sports.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AROUSAL ZONE, ANXIETY, STRESS AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE

This study aimed to examine the relationship between optimal functioning zone, anxiety, stress, and athletic performance. We conducted a systematic review of the available scientific articles and publications. Related literature was analyzed, relevant, or helpful in understanding the psychological aspects of athletic performance. It discusses the method and validity of hypotheses and approaches that have already appeared scientifically. We examined multidimensional approaches, which discuss the suitability and implications of some recent and more complex models of stress and performance. We may conclude that the relationship between stress and athletic performance is multidimensional. We also examined several factors, such as the interaction between the nature of the stressor, the cognitive needs of the task, and the individuals' psychological characteristics. Both physical and mental preparation is critical to successful sports performance. This way, the level of physical skills, mental preparedness significantly determine overall athletic performance. The article aims to provide a historical overview of the implementation, testing, and measurement of IZOF and other applied models.

Four-phase safety checklist for health care providers in COVID-19 hospitals: A practical tool for survival!

Pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has generated immense viral exposure risk among frontline health care providers (HCPs), especially due to aerosol-generating events and procedures. This further increased the risk of serious mental health disorders amongst them. Hitherto, there is lack of any specific safety protocol specially during the pre- and post-exposure period for HCPs, who provide direct clinical care to patients suffering from COVID-19. We propose a four-phase checklist approach, which may help them in mental preparedness as well as organizing themselves prior and following virus exposure in clinical postings and may enhance the safety standards. The checklist comprises simple steps and may work as a documented track record of precautionary and preventive measures which must be followed by HCWs working in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals.

UPAYA PENINGKATAN PENGETAHUAN REMAJA PUTRI TENTANG MENARCHE DI SDN 1 SINDANGSARI KABUPATEN PANGANDARAN

ABSTRACT World data of 76.3% of the world's youth population states that the young women population is mostly stressed when menarche other Data shows as many as 54% of young women experience anxiety when the menarche cannot perform such activities normally with peers (WHO, 2011). The results of RISKESDAS Indonesia in 2012 showed that the average age of menarche in Indonesia is 13 years, with events earlier than 9 years of age or later until age 17 years. Teenagers who will experience the menarche require good mental preparedness. Readiness facing the menarche is a condition that shows that one is ready to achieve one of the physical maturity that comes the menarche. The purpose of this health education is to identify the knowledge of teenagers before the targeting of the health education of menarche. As well as identifying the adolescent knowledge after the menarche health education was given. The case-taking method used is a descriptive study. According to Hidayat (2010) A descriptive method is a method used to find widest knowledge of the object at any given time. From the results of health education can be known by the knowledge of young women at SDN 1 Sindangsari about Menarche before the health education is carried out most have enough knowledge (56.7%). After the health education has been conducted mostly have good knowledge (53.3%). Can be know the average value before the health education (56.8%). And after the health education (78.1%). Increased (21.3%).

Differences In Self-Assessment Of Preparedness Of Wrestlers Before Competition

Purpose: The main goal of this research was to establish differences in self-assessment of preparedness of Greco-Roman wrestlers in different age groups before a competition. Methods: The sample of subjects consisted of Greco-Roman wrestlers (n=223) divided into three age groups (cadets n=76; juniors n=69; seniors n=78). Self-assessment of prepared-ness was determined immediately before oficial weighing (approximately 16 hours before oficial weighing) using a survey questionnaire on the Likert scale of 1 to 5. Descriptive sta-tistic parameters were present. The wrestlers’success was determined by analysis of oficial bulletin from national championships. The correlation between self-assessment of prepar-edness and success was determined by a linear regression analysis. Statistically significant differences between the groups were determined by the Mann-Whitney test. Results: Most cadets (35.5% of subjects) estimate that they are completely prepared for a competition comparing to juniors. Seniors and juniors carefully evaluated preparedness for a competition. Seniors (42.3% of subjects) estimate that they are somewhat prepared, while juniors (43.5% of subjects) estimate that they are highly prepared for a competition. Furthermore, results of linear regression indicate relation (R = 0.203; p = 0.002) between self-assessment and success of Greco-Roman wrestlers. In addition, statistically significant differences between cadets and juniors (p = 0.033) were confirmed as well as between ca-dets and seniors (p = 0.001) in variable self-assessment of preparedness for a competition. Conclusion: Statistically significant relation between self-assessment and success indicates that wrestlers with a high level of self-assessment have better success as well as self-confi-dence in wrestling competition. The differences between age groups of Greco-Roman wres-tlers in variable self-assessment of preparedness emphasize importance of realistic and achievable goals in young age groups of wrestlers. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustrations or giving up on practicing wrestling. Therefore, individual approach to the mental preparedness of young wrestlers before a competition is very important, especially setting and realization of achievable goals. In this way, positive experience from a competition will raise the level of self-confidence in young age wrestlers.

Profiling Collapsing Half Marathon Runners—Emerging Risk Factors: Results from Gothenburg Half Marathon

Among several serious medical conditions, arrhythmia and heat stroke are two important causes of death during endurance races. Clinically, collapsing might be the first sign of these serious conditions and may mimic the more common and benign exercise-associated collapse. Several risk factors have been reported in the literature. We aimed to conduct a qualitative study to find a perceived risk profile among runners who collapsed and who were transported by ambulances to the nearest hospital during Gothenburg’s half marathon (2010–2017). Collapsing runners seem to lack the ability to make a decision to withdraw from the contest despite being exhausted. They feel the pain, but are unable to put meaning to their feeling, to adjust their pacing, and to handle other influences. Consequently, they do not overcome the problem or assess the situation. These individual mental characteristics may indicate a unique profile for collapsing runners. Pre-race health control and educational initiatives aiming at mental preparedness and information before endurance races might be a necessary step to avoid life-threatening complications.