The roles, barriers and experiences of rehabilitation therapists in disaster relief: post-earthquake Haiti 2010

Klappa, Susan G; Audette, Jennifer; Do, Sandy

doi:10.3109/09638288.2013.791726

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Prior to the January 2010 earthquake, rehabilitation services in Haiti were scarce [1][2][3][4]. For a population in which one in six households included a person with a disability [5], most of these services were provided through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and religious institutions [1,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expanding the Haitian rehabilitation workforce: employment situation and perceptions of graduates from three rehabilitation technician training programs

Descôteaux

Chagnon²,

Dong³

et al. 2017

Disability and Rehabilitation

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Purpose: This article examines the employment situation and perceptions of graduates from three rehabilitation technician (RT) programs in Haiti. Methods: In this mixed method study, 74 of 93 recent graduates completed a questionnaire, and 20 graduates participated in an in-depth qualitative interview. We analyzed survey results using descriptive statistics. We used a qualitative description approach and analyzed the interviews using constant comparative techniques. Results: Of the 48 survey respondents who had completed their training more than six months prior to completing the questionnaire, 30 had found work in the rehabilitation sector. Most of these technicians were working in hospitals in urban settings and the patient population they treated most frequently were patients with neurological conditions. Through the interviews, we explored the participants' motivations for becoming a RT, reflections on the training program, process of finding work, current employment, and plans for the future. An analysis of qualitative and quantitative findings provides insights regarding challenges, including availability of supervision for graduated RTs and the process of seeking remunerated work. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for stakeholders to further engage with issues related to formal recognition of RT training, expectations for supervision of RTs, concerns for the precariousness of their employment, and uncertainty about their professional futures. ä IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe availability of human resources in the rehabilitation field in Haiti has increased with the implementation of three RT training programs over the past 10 years. RTs who found work in the rehabilitation sector were more likely to work in a hospital setting, in the province where their training had taken place, to treat a diverse patient clientele, and to be employed by a non-governmental organization. The study underlines challenges related to the long-term sustainability of RT training programs, as well as the employment of their graduates. Further discussion and research are needed to identify feasible and effective mechanisms to provide supervision for RTs within the Haitian healthcare system. ARTICLE HISTORY

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expanding the Haitian rehabilitation workforce: employment situation and perceptions of graduates from three rehabilitation technician training programs

Descôteaux

Chagnon²,

Dong³

et al. 2017

Disability and Rehabilitation

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show abstract

“…Additional articles relating to "difficulty" that: (i) reported on the negative experience of healthcare workers during medical humanitarian aid, including disaster relief activities; and (ii) discussed obstacles and hazards with respect to humanitarian aid, were included. This search yielded eight manuscripts (1 Japanese, 7 English) for item selection, of which 167 were excluded King et al, ; Sakamoto et al , ; Yang et al, ; Lopes Cardozo et al, ; Ripp et al, ; Hunt et al, ; Klappa et al, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such stressful circumstances disturb medical relief activities and cause psychological distress. Much of the previous literature has investigated an increased risk of mental health problems among disaster workers (Lopes Cardozo et al, ; Klappa et al, ; Sakuma et al, ). However, few studies have assessed the difficulties faced by healthcare workers attempting to provide medical care and perform activities of daily life in dispatched areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and validation of the Humanitarian Aid Difficulty Scale for Japanese healthcare workers

Noguchi

Inoue

Shimanoe

et al. 2016

Nursing & Health Sciences

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Few studies have investigated deployment-related experiences of healthcare workers dispatched for medical humanitarian aid or attempted to assess their difficult living and working environments. This is the first study to develop and validate a scale to measure these kinds of difficulties, in 264 Japanese healthcare workers. The Humanitarian Aid Difficulty Scale was developed in three stages. First, an item pool was generated based on literature and expert reviews. The scale was then tested in a pilot study. Reliability and validity were identified through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. The scale consisted of 23 items across five factors based on exploratory factor analysis (cooperation, health status, infrastructure, culture and customs, and supplies and equipment). The total variance explained was 60.7%. Reliability of the five factors was acceptable and validity was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha for the scale was 0.87. The scale may enable evaluation of the level of difficulty of the living and working environments of Japanese healthcare workers in medical humanitarian aid who are at a greater risk of distress.

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“…Previous research has identified experiences of medical personnel and health professionals working in conflict situations, and after hurricanes or earthquakes. A range of issues associated with responses were highlighted including motivation to respond, preparedness and role (Harrison, 2007;Klappa et al, 2010;Stangeland, 2010;Gowing et al 2017), challenges with coping, reintegration on homecoming (Rivers et al 2013;Kelly et al, 2014;Brooks et al 2015), and perceptions of personal and professional benefits gained (Scanell-Desch and Doherty, 2010;Richardson and Ardagh, 2013). However limited literature refers to short-term responses or the experiences of rehabilitation professionals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

UK rehabilitation professionals' experiences undertaking short-term responses after sudden-onset disaster

Cole

Barrett

Mein

2020

International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation

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Background/Aims Rehabilitation professionals can be members of international emergency responding medical teams after a natural disaster or following conflict. There is little research that explores the experiences of rehabilitation professionals who participate in these short-term emergency responses. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of rehabilitation professionals, specifically those of occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Objectives included examining personal and professional development opportunities, and how these experiences might inform future responses and the rehabilitation professional role. Methods A phenomenological approach was undertaken. Eight semi-structured interviews were carried out with rehabilitation professionals who had worked as part of short-term response following conflict or sudden-onset disaster. Transcriptions were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Two main themes and subsequent subthemes emerged. Theme 1 was challenges, with subthemes: an emotional journey; have I made a difference; and cultural and contextual awareness. Theme 2 was opportunities, with subthemes: a short-term response; working together; and developing skills and knowledge. Conclusions The experiences of UK-based rehabilitation professionals on short-term rotational responses as part of an emergency specialised rehabilitation team were overall positive. Challenges have implications for developing future pre- and post-response training and support. Further research is recommended to determine the contribution of these responses and to continue to develop understanding of the rehabilitation professional role in a responding specialised rehabilitation team.

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The roles, barriers and experiences of rehabilitation therapists in disaster relief: post-earthquake Haiti 2010

Abstract: Understanding the roles and experiences of therapists in disaster relief setting is important Certain barriers to providing care in post-disaster settings exist Those participating in disaster response should be well prepared and aware of that they might be asked to do.

Cited by 16 publications

References 10 publications

Expanding the Haitian rehabilitation workforce: employment situation and perceptions of graduates from three rehabilitation technician training programs

Expanding the Haitian rehabilitation workforce: employment situation and perceptions of graduates from three rehabilitation technician training programs

Development and validation of the Humanitarian Aid Difficulty Scale for Japanese healthcare workers

UK rehabilitation professionals' experiences undertaking short-term responses after sudden-onset disaster

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