ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate economic burdens and the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on paramedic candidates in Turkey. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on paramedic candidates in Turkey from January to May 2021. Students studying in the paramedic program in Turkey were included in the study. A self structured questionnaire was developed. Relatives leaving work, state support status, purchasing power for basic food needs evaluated the economic and psychosocial burden of the participants with the variables. The researchers developed a data collection tool consisting of three parts based on the current literature. The first part evaluated descriptive characteristics , the second part the economic effects of COVID-19, and the third part the psychosocial burden of COVID-19. Results: Of 1327 candidates, the average age was 20.41±2.08 years. There were 963 (72.6%) females and 364 (27.4%) males. During the pandemic, 933 (70%) and 784 (59.1%) felt responsible for grocery shopping for relatives and neighbors aged ≥65 years. Moreover, 1099 (82.8%) of the participants left their homes as rarely as possible;784 (59.1%) were unhappy with staying at home all the time;623 (46.9%) became more interested in religion, spirituality, and philosophy during the pandemic;473 (35.6%) of the participants' income did not meet their expenses, and 696 (52.4%) indicated that their academic performance had deteriorated. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the behaviors, lifestyles, habits, academic performance, and therefore the lives of the paramedic candidates due to additional burdens. © 2022 Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Midwives Association.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks occurring in many countries around the world have had a significant impact on emergency medical services (EMSs) in terms of the number of operations and procedures performed, including those on ambulances. However, the number of EMS amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Khon Kaen, Thailand, has not been well studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the relationship between the use of EMS and the outbreak of COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done in Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand, with a single EMS centered. Data were collected between March 27, 2021, and April 9, 2021, and designated as day-7 to day 7 of pandemic services as well as normal services which collected data between March 27, 2019, and April 9, 2019 (day-7 to day 7 of normal services). RESULTS: Three hundred and eight EMS operations were examined. A total of 77.9% (n = 95) of pandemic services were for males and the mean age of the patients was 32.1 ± 5.4 years. During the normal services in 2019, the average number of EMS operations was 13.3 ± 2.4 times/day over the 2 weeks of the study. In 2021, before the outbreak (day-7 to day 1), the average number of EMS operations was 13.2 ± 1.8 times/day. After day 1, there was a drop in the number of EMS operations which was associated with an increase in COVID-19 infections (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The number of EMS users during the COVID-19 outbreak decreased considerably compared to the pre-epidemic levels and normal service intervals, including the severity of the users, was more severe than normal.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The development of emergency medical services (EMSs) in Thailand is divided into two phases following the enactment of the Emergency Medical Act in 2007 aimed at making the work model more systematic. However, the amount of EMS operations has not been well studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of EMS operations throughout a 5-year period. METHODS: A retrospective, single-centered study at a medical school hospital in Thailand. Data were gathered from the EMS database at Srinagarind Hospital throughout the years 2016–2020. RESULTS: A total of 10,384 EMS operations were examined over a 5-year period (2016–2020). The mean age of patients in 2016 was 40.2 ± 3.5 years, and 55.3% (n = 1178) were male. Operations were most commonly performed during the afternoon shift (4.00 p.m.–0.00 a.m.) 41.0%, 38.6%, 39.5%, 39.2%, and 50.8%, respectively. The amount of EMS members had a tendency to increase in number throughout the 5 years of study (p = 0.022). The average times from 1669 center call receipt to arrival on scene (response time) for 2016 and 2020 were 8.52 ± 2.20 min and 5.52 ± 3.02 min, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The development of EMS at Srinagarind Hospital took place with an increase in the age of patients, number of operations in the afternoon shift, and EMS members, yet with a decrease in response times.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Concerning the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand, the number of patients has been increasing. Emergency medical services (EMS) operating duration differs from normal services due to equipment preparation, number of personnel, and on-board ambulance procedures. Notably, there have been no studies examining EMS duration regarding COVID-19 patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the EMS time for COVID-19 patients and routine services. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary university hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Information gathering was carried out by employing the Srinagarind Hospital EMS database throughout January 1, 2020, and February 10, 2021. RESULTS: A total of 2420 EMS operations were examined, of which five tested positive for COVID-19 (0.21%). The mean age of the COVID-19 patients was 35.6 ± 7.2 years, with the activation interval for COVID-19 and routine services at 64.20 ± 10.14 and 1.42 ± 0.42 min, respectively (p < 0.001). The on-scene time for COVID-19 and routine services was 3.20 ± 0.44 and 5.20 ± 2.20 min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EMS operating time amid the activation interval for COVID-19 patients was significantly longer than in the normal group. However, on-scene time for COVID-19 patients was less time than in normal operations.