published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Sociology / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (M.Tech.: Emergency Medical Care)-Durban University of Technology, 2007 xiv, 116 leaves / The Professional Board for Emergency Care Practitioners (PBECP), a division of the Health Professions Council of South Africa, regulates the scope of practice and publishes guidelines and protocols that advanced life support (ALS) practitioners are required to follow. These define an acceptable, standardised approach to each commonly encountered emergency. Non compliance with the guidelines and protocols regularly occurs, which could impact on the quality of care delivered and may result in further injury or death of the patient. This study investigated the reasons for non-compliance by ALS practitioners and explored how compliance could be improved.

[Truncated abstract] Objective: To investigate the demographics, success rate of application, nature and frequency of complication and the survival outcome of patients receiving advanced airway management in the pre-hospital setting. Design: Prospective observational cohort study. Participants: Patients who were attended to by St. John Ambulance Paramedics in the Perth Metropolitan area and selected regional areas within Western Australia. The patients were unconscious, unresponsive with no gag reflex and where application of an advanced airway would improve ventilation. Methods: Ambulance Paramedics received mannequin training within the classroom environment on the techniques for the application of the Endo-Tracheal Tube and the Laryngeal Mask Airway. The indication for the application of an advanced airway was any patient whose ventilation may be improved by intubation. These patients would be either deeply unconscious and areflexic, long term transport, severely injured (especially head injured) or cardiac arrest patients. Results: ... Paramedic assessment demonstrated that 14 (7.4%) 3 patients had an improvement in outcome. Of the 14 patients, 5 (2.7%) cardiac arrest patients survived to discharge from hospital compared to a 2.1 % survival rate for all cardiac arrest cases attended by the WAAS in 2002. Conclusion: Ambulance Paramedics can successfully apply an advanced airway apparatus in the pre-hospital environment. There was no statistical significance to demonstrate whether the introduction of advanced airway skills was beneficial or detrimental to patient survival outcome.

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Sandra Faria, Florida State University, School of Nursing. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Feb.1, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains x, 133 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Emergency Medical Care)-Durban University of Technology, 2007 xiv, 116 leaves / The Professional Board for Emergency Care Practitioners (PBECP), a division of the Health Professions Council of South Africa, regulates the scope of practice and publishes guidelines and protocols that advanced life support (ALS) practitioners are required to follow. These define an acceptable, standardised approach to each commonly encountered emergency. Non compliance with the guidelines and protocols regularly occurs, which could impact on the quality of care delivered and may result in further injury or death of the patient. This study investigated the reasons for non-compliance by ALS practitioners and explored how compliance could be improved.

This study investigates the role of unconscious and conscious coping strategies in the mediation of stress in high risk occupational contexts. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Multidimensional Coping Inventory and the Defense Style Questionnaires were completed by 194 police, ambulance and teaching personnel. A sample of 37 teachers served as a non high risk occupation control group. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, analysis of variance, analysis of difference and principal component analysis were performed on the data. Results indicated minimal significant between group differences. Within group variances were yielded. A minor relationship between levels of stress and usage of positive and negative mechanisms was observed. The significance of these findings is discussed and recommendations made for further study.

This study was designed to determine if a need exists to teach decision making skills to paramedic students in San Bernardino County.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2004. / This report presents the findings of a study conducted in 2003-2004, involving eight members of emergency services in Stanger, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The emergency personnel included five firefighters and three paramedics. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate a mutual aid group programme in order to prevent symptoms of trauma, with special reference to anxiety and depression, and promote psychological well-being in emergency personnel. Emergency personnel are exposed to traumatic events during the line of duty. The study investigated stressors, which were identified as organizational, management style, ineffective communication, stressors relating to patient care (personal loss, traumatic stimuli, high expectations) and low job and high workloads. The study also investigated psychological, physical and social effects of emergency work. Psychological effects that were identified were mental illnesses such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Symptoms included irritability, anger, frustration, hopelessness, helplessness, fear and anxiety. Physical effects included fatigue, difficulty breathing, startle response, nausea, trembling and racing heart. Social problems such as conflicts with family, friends and colleagues were also identified. The study provided group members with the ability to identify symptoms of trauma and accept vulnerability, which served as important preventative measures for mental illness. The group created a safe atmosphere where members were able to share their feelings without the fear of being judged. It also provided members with new coping strategies for dealing with their feelings. Regarding further support systems the group members identified an ongoing need for help via psychologists, psychological debriefing and support from management, family as well as the community. / National Research Foundation

Thesis (M. Nursing) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Background: Emergency departments (EDs) as the hospitals' front door have a critical role in ensuring access to and efficient care of acute illness and injuries in the healthcare system. The environment in EDs is physically and emotionally demanding and burdened by complex patient loads, long shifts, and administrative challenges resulting in high pressure and high volume workloads amongst the staff members. Purpose: The study aimed to develop support strategies for the resuscitation team in EDs of Mankweng and Pietersburg public hospitals in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Study method: A descriptive, phenomenological, and explorative research design was used to explore the resuscitation team's experiences and the available strategies to support them. Purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to select five Medical doctors and twelve Professional nurses to participate in the study. The sample size was determined by the depth of the information obtained from the participants.Data was collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Interview guide was developed to guide with organised line of questioning and thinking. Qualitative data analysis using Tesch's approach was then followed. The quality of data was ensured by applying four elements; credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Turfloop Research Ethics Committee, the Limpopo Department of Health, and the Mankweng/Pietersburg Ethics Committee permitted the study. The study's details were explained to potential participants, who then agreed to be part of the study and signed consent forms. Results: The following themes emerged: Challenges related to the shortage of resources in the ED, challenges related to lack of standardized procedures and policies for handling the resuscitation process, psychological challenges of resuscitation failure, leadership, and managerial support challenges, and challenges related to education and training of the resuscitation team. Conclusion: This study's results indicated that the resuscitation teams of EDs from Mankweng and Pietersburg Public Hospitals face challenges that cause them stress and burnout. The challenges result from an increased overload of work with no personnel and material resources. They become demoralized by being engaged in failed resuscitation with no psychological support from the management. They don't receive any debriefing or counseling post failed resuscitation and no educational backing of the management. The study's findings guided the researcher in developing strategies to support the resuscitation teams in the EDs of Mankweng and Pietersburg Public Hospitals.

Literature on the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has paid much attention to stressors, stress and symptoms, coping, and support of Emergency Medical Workers (EMWs). However, it has paid little attention to the needs of EMWs, and the satisfaction thereof, which should result in their improved well-being and motivation. In an attempt to rectify this imbalance, this study investigated the needs of EMWs as suggested by descriptions of their experiences within the EMS. Interviews were conducted with EMWs employed by a private EMS company. The interviews were analysed for emerging needs by means of interpretive analysis. These needs comprised the Need for Freedom, the Need for Competence, the Need for Recognition, the Need for a Challenge, and the Need to be Understood. The findings were linked with theory and it is proposed that the relevant EMS company incorporates participative management into its management approach. In addition suggestions are made for future research. / Psychology / M. A.(Psychology)