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Thunderstorm asthma epidemic - management challenges experienced by general practice clinics
Ambereen S Farouque1, Rae Walker1, Bircan Erbas1
1School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
Summary
General practice (GP) services faced significant challenges during the 2016 thunderstorm asthma epidemic, including resource limitations and communication barriers. Despite these obstacles, GP staff demonstrated resilience and adapted their services to manage the surge in patients.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
- General Practice
Background:
- The 2016 thunderstorm asthma (TA) epidemic in Melbourne overwhelmed healthcare services.
- General practice (GP) plays a crucial role in primary care and emergency response.
- Understanding GP challenges during mass casualty events is vital for preparedness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the challenges encountered by general practice (GP) services during the 2016 thunderstorm asthma (TA) epidemic.
- To identify resource limitations, personnel issues, and communication obstacles faced by GP staff.
- To understand how GP services adapted their operations during the TA event.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
- Participants included general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses, and administrative staff.
- Data were collected from six clinic sites in northern Melbourne, Australia, between September and October 2017.
Main Results:
- Clinics experienced a surge in respiratory and asthma patients, particularly during after-hours periods.
- Key challenges included limitations in medication, equipment, space, and personnel.
- Innovative solutions were implemented, such as equipment recycling, inter-pharmacy medication procurement, and extended clinic hours.
Conclusions:
- GP services made a substantial contribution to the emergency response during the TA epidemic.
- Significant organizational barriers, including resource constraints and poor communication, hindered GP service response.
- GP staff displayed resilience in increasing surge capacity despite considerable demands.
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