Page 155 - Timeliness of Infectious Disease Notification & Response Systems - Corien Swaan
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Ebola preparedness among the curative and the public health sector 153
Methods
Study design
This is a mixed-method study using focus groups, semistructured interviews, and data from the CID records.
Study participants
Seven semistructured interviews, 5 focus groups, and 1 modified focus group were conducted with stakeholders involved in the identification, transportation and investigation of patients with possible EVD. The interviews were conducted with representatives of national associations (ie, 2 GP networks, PHS, ambu- lance services, academic hospitals), the health inspectorate and the working group for hospital infection prevention. The focus groups were conducted with regional public health consultants, PHSs, peripheral and academic hospitals, and regional ambulance services. Twelve PHSs were randomly selected from 3 geographical regions (ie, north, middle and south) in the Netherlands (4 per region, including at least one PHS with experience in referring EVD suspected patients). Random selection was also applied to ambulance services (12 out of in total 25 services) and 6 peripheral hospitals ( 2 per geographical region). A modified focus group was conducted with 7 GPs; individual perceptions were gathered in separate interviews, which were later combined into 1 general opi- nion, elaborating on the (recurring) discussed themes.
Procedure
The study participants were recruited by e-mail and/or telephone. Focus groups (duration: 2 hours) and interviews (ranging between 30 minutes and 1 hour) were conducted in November and December 2015.
The focus groups were semistructured, along 4 main themes. Participants reflected on EVD preparedness with a specific focus on: (1) their role and en- gagement in EVD preparedness, (2) the process chain of managing a possible EVD patient at regional level, (3) their views on the national coordination by CID and (4) the collaboration between the CID and the curative sector. The same facilitator (A.V.O.) conducted all focus groups assisted by a CID expert in Ebola preparedness and response (dual moderator principle).
The semistructured interviews focused on the role and responsibilities of the stakeholder at the national level and on interorganizational cooperation. The interview guide was pilot tested and adjusted accordingly. The interviews were conducted face-to-face by the same facilitator.
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