Browsing by Author "Johal SS"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Coping with Disaster: General Practitioners' Perspectives on the Impact of the Canterbury Earthquakes
    (2014) Johal SS; Mounsey Z; Tuohy R; Johnston DM
    Aim - To explore the challenges for general practitioners (GPs) following the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes and describe how these were met. Methods - Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with eight GPs from the Christchurch area exploring their experiences. Results - The interviews revealed that the GPs faced a range of challenges both in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes and in the following months. These included dealing with an increased and changed workload, and managing personal concerns. The GPs reflected on their coping behaviour and how their professional practice had changed as a result. Conclusions - All GPs reported significant increases in workload raising questions about the need for coordination of locum support. GPs often found themselves working outside their area of accustomed expertise especially in relation to patients needing financial aid. GPs identified a number of coping behaviours though some only in hindsight. Greater awareness of self-care strategies would benefit GPs responding to disasters.
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    National Health Emergency Plan: A framework for the health and disability sector
    (Ministry of Health, 15/10/2015) Johal SS; MacDonald C; Mitchell J
    This edition of the National Health Emergency Plan has been revised and updated to reflect current thinking on the health aspects of emergency management in New Zealand and internationally. It reflects the sophistication of a second-generation, risk-based plan developed by emergency management specialists under the leadership of the Joint Centre for Disaster Research in partnership with the Ministry of Health. The plan was developed in consultation with local and international specialists in the field of emergency management, emergency managers and planners in the health and disability sector, and other key stakeholders. A collaborative, consultative approach has been taken throughout the development of the plan, including holding workshops with health emergency management stakeholders across the nation. Constant contact has been maintained with the concurrent review of the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan Order 2015 (National CDEM Plan) to ensure consistency between the two plans. In acknowledgement of the importance of evidence-based policy and practice, an extensive international literature review formed the basis for much of the plan’s content. To maintain its alignment with the National CDEM Plan, the National Health Emergency Plan will be reviewed by the Ministry of Health within five years of its adoption. The plan will also be reviewed and updated as required following any new developments or substantial changes to the operations or organisation of New Zealand health and disability services, as a result of lessons from a significant emergency affecting the health of communities or the health and disability sector itself, if new hazards and risks are identified, or by direction of the Minister of Health or Director-General of Health. Annexes at the back of the plan are intended to provide a short document format that can be rapidly updated with new or revised guidance on specific issues as they are identified. The Ministry of Health welcomes submissions of good practice that can be incorporated into future editions.
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    Patient Reactions after the Canterbury Earthquakes 2010-11: A Primary Care Perspective
    (2014) Johal SS; Mounsey Z; Tuohy R; Johnston DM
    Aim - To explore GP perceptions of the impact of the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquakes on primary care clinic patients. Methods - Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with eight GPs from the Christchurch area exploring GPs' perceptions of the impact on patients. Results - Patients experienced significant strain and anxiety following the earthquakes. The impact of this differed due to personal circumstances. Secondary stressors such as insurance and housing issues contributed to experiences of distress. Conclusions - The GPs identified significant impacts on patients as a result of the earthquakes with significant levels of strain and anxiety being due to the on-going recovery process. It appears that a significant proportion of the affected population felt comfortable talking with the GPs about the earthquakes, secondary stressors and their effects upon them.
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    Stress Test: Supporting farmers in crisis
    (Massey University Press, 2016-06-15) Johal SS
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    The role of the organisation following disaster: Insights from nurse experiences after the Canterbury earthquakes
    (Massey University, 20/09/2016) Mounsey ZM; Johal SS; Naswell K
    This research aimed to explore nurse perceptions of impacts and organisational support following the Canterbury NZ earthquake sequence. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 11 nurses in the Canterbury area to explore the challenges faced during and following the 2010/11 earthquake sequence. The interviews took place three years after the start of the earthquake sequence to enable exploration of longer term aspects of the recovery process. The interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. A number of themes were identified that related to organisations, including initial impact, emotional impact, work impact and organisational support. Changes to workloads and roles were both organisationally driven and personally motivated. There is a need to consider the psychosocial impact of working and living in a post disaster context. There is also a need to develop support packages to ensure the health and wellbeing of health care professionals. This research highlights a number of ways in which organisations can support employees following disasters.