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Increasing Perceived Emergency Preparedness by Participatory Policy-Making (Think-Tanks)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 February 2018

Bruria Adini ,
Avi Israeli ,
Moran Bodas  and
Kobi Peleg
Bruria Adini*
Affiliation:
Department of Disasters and Emergency Management, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Avi Israeli
Affiliation:
Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel Hadassah, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
Moran Bodas
Affiliation:
Department of Disasters and Emergency Management, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Kobi Peleg
Affiliation:
Department of Disasters and Emergency Management, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel The National Center for Trauma and Emergency Medicine Research, The Gertner Institute for Health Policy and Epidemiology, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Bruria Adini, Department of Disaster Management & Injury Prevention, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel (e-mail: adini@netvision.net.il).
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Abstract

Objective

The study aimed to examine impact of think-tanks designed to create policies for emerging threats on medical teams’ perceptions of individual and systemic emergency preparedness.

Methods

Multi-professional think-tanks were established to design policies for potential attacks on civilian communities. In total, 59 multi-sector health care managers participated in think-tanks focused on: (a) primary care services in risk zones; (b) hospital care; (c) casualty evacuation policies; (d) medical services to special-needs populations; and (e) services in a “temporary military-closed zone.” Participants rotated systematically between think-tanks. Perceived individual and systemic emergency preparedness was reviewed pre-post participation in think-tanks.

Results

A significant increase in perceived emergency preparedness pre-post-think-tanks was found in 8/10 elements including in perceived individual role proficiency (3.71±0.67 vs 4.60±0.53, respectively; P<0.001) and confidence in colleagues’ proficiency during crisis (3.56±0.75 vs 4.37±0.61, respectively; P<0.001). Individual preparedness and role perception correlates with systemic preparedness and proficiency in risk assessment.

Conclusions

Participation in policy-making impacts on individuals’ perceptions of empowerment including trust in colleagues’ capacities, but does not increase confidence in a system’s preparedness. Field and managerial officials should be involved in policy-making processes, as a means to empower health care managers and improve interfaces and self-efficacy that are relevant to preparedness and response for crises. (Disaster Med Public Health Prepardness. 2019;13:152–157)

Keywords

Think-tanksemergency preparednesshealth policycommunity health planninghealth care facilitiesmanpower and services
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , April 2019 , pp. 152 - 157
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2018 

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